DEMONDRILLE Merino stud hit a $2034 average and $4500 sale top twice today during their 30th annual fine wool Merino ram sale at Fairview, Harden, with the two high sellers destined for Victoria.
A quick yet challenging trip across the border was worthwhile for woolgrower John Northey of Bethanga, Vic, who secured both the $4500 top-priced rams for his self-replacing Merino flock of around 350 ewes.
Running a mixed farming operation, Mr Northey targets a 17 to 18 micron fleece and first bought Demondrille rams last year.
"I came here to get extra fleece weight," he said. "I'm a wool grower, but want good doing animals that have the weight and size
The two top rams impressed him for the amount of wool and stylish crimp they were growing.
Twin-born Demondrille 190297 was the first ram Mr Northey picked up for $4500.
He was by the Demondrille 140855 sire and measured 17.1 in the micron with a standard deviation (SD) of 2.6, a coefficient of variation (CV) of 15.2 per cent, a comfort factor (CF) of 99.7pc and greasy fleece weight (GFW) of 119.9pc.
Weighing 88.6 kilograms he had an eye muscle depth (EMD) of 33.5 millimetres and fat depth of 4mm. His Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBV) for yearling fibre diameter (YFD) of -2.7 was in the top five per cent, and his Fibre Production Plus (FP+) Index of 150 was top 30pc.
Mr Northey's second purchase at the sale high of $4500 was Demondrille 190706, a son of Merryville 170147.
Weighing 87.4kg with a EMD of 33.5mm and fat depth of 4.5mm, the twin-born had 17.9 micron fleece with a 2.4 SD, 13.4pc CV, 100pc CF and 123.5pc GFW.
He sat top 30pc for both YFP (-1.8) and FP+ (154).
The largest volume buyer was the Dawe family of Karoola Pty Ltd, Young who purchased 15 rams for a top of $1500 and average of $1067.
Ten rams sold to M and S Gregory of Cuppa, Tharwa, ACT, for a $3500 top, three times, and $2425 average. TW and EC Hobbs of Avondale, Gunning, picked up eight rams to a top of $3750 and average of $2163, and Warrawong Pty Ltd, Bendick Murrell bought seven and averaged $1036.
Selling agents were Nutrien Livestock Boorowa with Rick Power taking bids.
