Mother nature provided a beautiful day for the 2018 Woodpark Poll Merino annual ram sale held at Jerilderie Racecourse.
The seasonal conditions had provided the Woodpark Poll sheep the opportunity to showcase their ability to perform in tough seasons which the Stephen and Carol Huggins and family have continually been breeding towards.
The draft of 142 rams on offer averaged in the top 10 per cent of all sheep on MerinoSelect for daul purpose (DP) index and in the top 20pc for yearling weight, yearling clean fleece weight, and merino production (MP) index.
Reflecting the the current market conditions the sale average was up with 134 rams selling for an average price of $2571 to a top of $6,000.
Strong demand in the front row saw the sale top superseded on a number of occasions eventually settling with Adam Mort of Hilltop Merino Stud, Mudgee.
Mr Mort was first exposed to the Woodpark Poll sheep at the south-west-slopes merino fieldday held at Harden in 2017.
After liking the style of the sheep he saw at the same event this year he decided to attend the sale and inspect a larger selection of the Woodpark Poll sheep.
Breeding superfine Poll Merinos Mr Mort was looking to add some power and punch to his sheep.
Mr Mort had a particular sireline he came to inspect in order to achieve his objective, however, on inspection he was drawn to the WP150352 progeny due to the fact that these progeny had the heaviest fleece weights of any sire group.
The top price ram WP170273 was in the top 10pc for yearling clean fleece weight which was of particular interest for Mr Mort.
“He had such a deep body combined with the added bone, structural soundness, good feet and doing ability I was looking to add to our flock” Mr Mort said.
A late addition to the catalogue proved a good move for the Huggins family with WP170612 a son of WP140008 selling for the second top money of $5750.
In the top 10pc for yearling clean fleece weight and both the MP and DP indicies he was purchased by Sue Braid, Frogmore.
Return buyer Mrs Braid was been using Woodpark Poll genetics for five years, having already purchased three Woodpark Poll rams in 2018 out of the Sheepvention offering.
Mrs Braid was drawn to Woodpark after the bloodline caught her eye due to their performance in the Bookham wether trial.
Mrs Braid has been particularly impressed with their ability to perform in high rainfall environments.
The third top money of $5250 was met twice.
Dave Bibby of Maranui Pastoral Company, Tatyoon, Victoria fought hard for WP170299 a WP150352 son who was in the top 5pc for yearling clean fleece weight and MP index and top 10pc for DP index.
Drawn to the ram for his capacity and depth of body as well as his good clean fleece weight numbers Mr Bibby has been purchasing from Woodpark Poll rams for 10 years.
“I really like the wool, the early maturity pattern, and the fertility of the Woodpark Poll sheep” he said.
Mr Bibby purchased six rams in total for an average price of $3808.
The other $5250 equal third top price ram was WP170023 a son of WP120342 who was in the top 5pc for both MP and DP indicies who sold to KJ & N Davis, Caragabal.
The Davis family purchased three rams out of the front row for an average price of $3750.
Leading the volume buyers Woomargama Station, Woomargama, put together a line of 10 rams for a $2425 average paying to a top of $3750 for WP170401 a WP120204 son who was in the top 5pc for both MP and DP indicies.
Not to be outdone LDS & M Farrant, Calimo, Deniliquin, also put together a draft of 10, working hard to get them loaded an average price of $1785 paying to a top $2750 along the way.
Buying well MV Ag, Mountain View, Alectown, paid to a top of $3500 on the way to securing eight rams for a $2581 average.
While Coolamon’s S & H Exton & Son, drafted seven their way for a $2935 average paying to a top of $3500.
Peter Sleeman Pty Ltd, Riversdale, Jerilderie, and Budgewah Pastoral Company, Benduck, Hay, both found value when securing their respective seven rams for $2157 and $1957.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark with Ron Rutledge, Peter Godbolt and Nick Gray sharing the duties.
