Lemani Merino stud, Taviton, Ashford, sold to a top of $1400 at their annual ram sale on Thursday, moving away from the Helmsan system to introduce an auction and cleared 21 of 39 lots to average $786 in a tough season.
Stud principal Steve Symons said the season was the driest in his experience with half the average rainfall last year at 380mm while recent storm rain covered the undulating trap soil with a tinge of green, whereas a fortnight ago the place looked more like a quarry. Despite all this Lemani wool last August sold to an average 2196c/kg while 3.5 year old ewes, October shorn, sold to $105.
“We’re happy, considering,” he said of the selected rams which averaged 16.1 micron, yielded 76.7 per cent with a co-efficient of variation at 17.7 per cent.
Mr Symons pointed to an ongoing trial with Local Land Services at Glen Innes that showed the team of Lemani wethers placed 11 out of 38 for wool clip and that the stud’s move towards Roseville Park influence as well as Egalabra, had driven production towards a heavier wool clip.
Selling agent Angus Carter, Landmark Armidale, told the assembled bidders that with China taking 78 per cent of the Australian clip, and with prices for 18 micron still on the rise, while 17 micron had fallen slightly, that a ram showing broader micron with good cut and bulk of wool would continue to drive profits.
Callan Schaefer, Fern Hill Guyra braved the heat of the Bukkulla district to purchase three rams paying to the top price of $1400 for lot 34, Lemani 639, sired by a syndicate of Lemani rams P99 and G15 with fleece measurements of 15.5 micron, 92.9 per cent CFW, 79.2pc yield, 16.1pc CV and -56 FEC.
Volume buyers volume buyers David and Rani Smith, Fairleigh, Limevale, Qld, came away with four rams bought at the auction and another two after the sale paying the second highest amount at $1300 for lot 20, Lemani 414, poll, sired by Roseville Park 93 with fleece measurements of 16.7 micron, 108.3pc CFW, 81.7pc yield, 16.7pc CV, zero for CF and no worm eggs at the time of testing.
David Stewart, Inverell, put to one side the terrible loss of a shearing shed and more than 300 poll ewes at Auburnvale after lightening started a blaze the day before, to pay $1100 for lot 21, Lemani 389, sired by Roseville Park 93 with fleece measurements of 16.1 micron, 83.6pc CFW, 74.5pc yield, 18.5pc CV, zero for CF and -34 FEC.
Repeat buyers Paul and Linda Neden, Atholwood, purchased two rams for $600 after the close of the sale and are keen to keen to top up their genetics in spite of the fact that their paddocks have received half the annual rainfall and feed is running short.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Inverell, under the direction of Steve Symons’ daughter Nikki Symons with Ashley Faint.
