Bogo Merinos top at $12,000, av $4220 for 200

A top price of $12,000, up from $5000 last year was realised while the sale average of $4220 was up on last years average of $2804 when 169 rams were offered and sold.

The top priced ram, a PP Poll Merino was bought by Brett and Chontelle Wilder, Cora Lynn Pastoral Co., Greenthorpe..

The twin ram's fleece measurements indicated 18.4 micron, 3 standard deviation (SD) and 99.4pc comfort factor (CF) while the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) measured 8.3 yearling body weight (YWT), 24.7 yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW), -2 yearling fibre diameter (YFD), and 0.4 early breech wrinkle (EBRW).

Further figures included 153 Fibre Production Index (FP+) and 171 Merino Production Index (MP+).

Bogo studmaster Mal Peake said the measurement for early breech wrinkle is an indication of the amount of wrinkle on the tail area of the lamb at marking time.

"We are looking for negative figures and it is an important measurement tool for us and other sheep breeders who are contemplating ceasing mulesing or have already done so," he said.

"The figure allows those sheep breeders to evaluate the ram's potential to reduce breech wrinkle on his progeny, thus alleviating the need for mulesing and keep the fleece weight."

Mr Peake said the Cavan Station flock sheep and the Bogo stud sheep have not been mulesed for many years, following a deliberate decision to breed plainer breeched sheep while still retaining fleece weight and quality.

Phill Butt, Butt Livestock and Property Yass, purchased the ram on behalf of Mr and Mrs Wilder and said the longterm clients of Bogo return each year because of the productivity of the rams.

"This ram has good bone and spring of rib and carrying a superb fleece fine wool fleece," Mr Butt said.

"The Wilder's always buy at the top end of the Bogo offering and it shows in their flock."

Second top price at $8000 was paid for another PP Poll Merino ram, also born a twin, by Brad Furner, Bathurst.

The fleece of his selection of the draft measured 17.4 micron, with 3.2 SD, and 99.7pc CF, while the EBV's indicated 2.9 YWT, 17.1 YCFW, -2 YFD and -0.4 EBRW.

Index figures included 160 FP+ and 172 MP+.

Mr Furner, who was advised by Suzie Neal, Quality Wool, Orange, said he was attracted to the Bogo-bred rams for their size and balance, but still carrying a fine and soft fleece with weight.

"I thought my ram, which was my pick of the sale, has all the traits I am looking for in my traditional fine wool flock - good cut on a good body with a well crimped fleece," he said.

Reflecting upon the sale, Cavan Station general manager, Matt Crozier expressed his delight at the sale, as the strength of bidding from woolgrowers was amazing.

"It was an outstanding result, beyond our wildest expectations," Mr Crozier said.

"We put up an extra 31 rams and in a strong selling year, we are thrilled to have achieved such a result.

"We feel it is an indication of the strength in our program, endorsed by commercial woolgrowers."

The sale was settled by Elders, Yass, in association with Butt Livestock and Property, Yass, with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth, controlling the bidding.

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