Nerstane ram sale hits $7000 top price

Of the 181 Merino rams on offer from Jock, Carley, Hamish, John and Jane McLaren, 164 sold to record a $2457 average.

The result was only slightly back on their 2018 auction where 184 rams were cleared for a $2652 average.

Interstate buyers enjoying boastful seasonal conditions weren’t afraid to pay top dollar for the Merino genetics, described pre-sale as the best looking rams to be offered on-property at Nerstane. 

Will and Katrina Allen, Denholm Green Pastoral, Hexham, Vic, averaged $5625 for their four ram purchases, all of them polled.

They were forced to pay top dollar of $7000 for the pick of their selections, a son of Centre Plus 185 with a body weight (BW) of 97 kilograms, fat of five millimetres and eye muscle depth of 37mm. The ram recorded a clean fleece weight of 123 per cent

The Allens, whose daughter, Zena Kilpatrick, usually buys their rams, said they were looking for poll rams and quality wool with the biggest cuts. 

They run 10,000 Merinos with an 18 micron average along with a crossbred flock on their livestock and cropping operation. 

While they have been using Nerstane rams for 15 years, they hadn’t visited the sale in three years but needed new genetics.

“They suit our country and perform well down there,” Mr Allen said. 

Unlike many of the local buyers at the sale, the Allens had benefited from a prosperous season.

“We feel guilty saying it’s a good season (back home),” Ms Allen said. 

“It chopped out a bit in the spring but overall it’s a good season. 

“You never know what the rams are going to make (but) we weren’t going to go home empty handed anyway.

“We wanted to get what we wanted.” 

As is tradition at the Nerstane sale, all proceeds from the last ram were donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Purchasers Craig and Allison Stott, Stott Ag Services, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, secured the ram for $3000 having first-hand experience with life-saving medical helicopters themselves.

After the birth of her youngest daughter, Yasmin, seven years ago, Ms Stott suffered life-threatening post-birth medical issues and was grateful for the services of their local rescue helicopter for their swift treatment.

“Its for a good cause so the ram was a bonus,” Mr Stott said. 

The couple operate a cropping and grazing property running 2000 fine wool Merinos. 

Mr Stott said white, soft and fine Merino rams were on his wish list and was able to secure four rams in total averaging $3142. 

“Low fibre diametre and low worm egg counts was what we were chasing,” he said. 

The sale was conducted by Elders Walcha with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as auctioneer.

Read the full report in next week’s The Land.