The impact of a reduced ewe base in the New England region was felt during the Armidale Merino ram sale on Wednesday.
Despite agents describing it as one of the best offerings of top quality rams from vendors across the board, 47 of 71 rams sold to average $2723 compared to an average of $3435 in 2019.
A total of 51 buyers registered their interest stretching from local areas to as far as Tasmania with a 16.9 micron ram from Max Rayner and family, Grathlyn Merino stud, Mudgee, claiming the $11,000 top price.
He was secured on behalf of Nutrien Studstock Goulburn to an undisclosed buyer who had viewed the ram during the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show in Canberra earlier this year.
Nutrien's Rick Power said the client was impressed by the ram's virtue, shape, scale and wool type.
The son of Merryville Copy out of a Grathlyn stud ewe had a standard deviation of 2.7, a co-efficient variation of 16 and a comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.
He was named junior champion March shorn ram at Bendigo and had always been a standout, according to Mr Rayner.
Not far behind at $10,000 was the supreme exhibit of the show and ultra superfine champion ram from the Lette family, Conrayn Merino stud, Berridale, who was secured by the partnership of the Picker family, Hillcreston Merino stud, Bigga, and Bill and John Gow, Kyoma, Llangothlin.
Mr Picker had followed the ram through the show circuit and was surprised to see him for sale in Armidale.
"It is the first time we have been back for a few years," he said.
"We had a good on-property sale and wanted to build back out client base in the north. It was mainly his wool type and coverage that we were drawn too. He has a Hillcreston type of wool."
Mr Picker will join the ram to stud ewes while Mr Gow will take semen to use in his commercial flock.
Mr Gow already owns a half brother to the son of Conrayn Ford and wanted to build up their superfine base.
"He has got the type of wool we want," he said.
A $6000 price tag was achieved twice. McLaren family, Nerstane Merino stud, Woolbrook, sold their ram to converted cattle producers Jon and Claire Welsh, Square One Pastoral, Guyra, who are establishing a Merino flock while the Merriman family, Merryville stud, Boorowa, sold an 18.3 micron ram to JE Newham and Co, Delungra.
Among the bulk buyers were David Grills Partnership, Armidale, who secured seven rams averaging $2035 and topping at $4000 for an 18.3 micron Demondrille ram.
The sale was conducted by Elders, Nutrien Studstock, and Australian Wool Network with auctioneers Lincoln McKinlay (Elders), Rick Power (Nutrien), and Scott Bremner (AWN).
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
