MERRIGNEE Merinos and Poll Merinos’ sale results were up compared to last year during their 28th annual unhoused ram sale held at Little Range, Boorowa, last Friday.
At auction the Merriman family sold in total 69 rams of the 90 they offered for a 77 per cent clearance and $1935 average, up $425 on 2017.
Hitting the sale-top price of $5000 was Merrignee tag 066, purchased by Graham and Roy Robertson, Sutton Grange, Bookham.
The artificial insemination son of Glenpaen “Magic” weighed 82 kilograms. In August it measured 17.1 in the micron, 3.0 standard deviation (SD), 17.5pc fibre diameter coefficient of variation (CV), spinning fineness (SpinF) of 16.2, a comfort factor (CF) of 99.4pc and greasy fleece weight (GFW) of 134.4pc.
The return buyers join 2200 ewes annually, and secure the select ram for its nice white, long staple and thick skin.
“He is a heavy cutter and very productive,” Roy Robertson said.
Yass based buyers, Samka Pty Ltd, outlaid $4000 for the second top-priced ram, Merrignee tag 094.
Sired by Grassy Creek 171-G7 it weighed 88kg with a 17.0 micron, 2.9 SD, 17.4pc CV, 16.2 SpinF, 99.7pc CF and 121.5pc GFW.
Third top-priced ram, and top-priced Poll Merino, was Merrignee tag 216 a son of Glenpaen “Magic” bought by JP. McGrath and Son, Hopefield, Boorowa, for $3750.
Tipping the scales at 98kg and measuring 18.0 in the micron, the ram had a 2.7 SD, 15.0pc CV, 16.7 SpinF, a CF of 99.7pc and a GFW of 140.4pc.
The largest volume buyer was Gunnong Pastoral Company, Coolac, who secured 15 rams and paid an average of $1517 across their selections.
EJ. Merriman and Sons Pty Ltd, Murrumbateman, took home 11 rams for an average of $2227, while Frombay Pty Ltd, Breadalbane, bought seven to average $2143.
Four more rams sold following the completion of the sale.
Elders and Landmark conducted the sale with Steve Ridley, Elders Goulburn, as the auctioneer.
