Confidence in the wool industry was evident during the annual Hazeldean Monaro ram sale, when the Litchfield family penned 250 Merino and Poll Merino rams for public auction.
In the sale catalogue, the Hazeldean Breeding Policy clearly stated that the special treatment of small groups through shedding and provision of artificial rations is at odds to the philosophy of the stud.
To give accurate and meaningful measurement information, it is necessary to evaluate animals by running them in large contemporary groups under conditions equivalent to those experienced in the world of commercial wool growing.
And with today's result of $11,000 top price and average of $4412 for 249 rams sold, the longterm clients of Hazeldean are responding wholeheartedly, endorsing that direction of balanced figures and conformation.
Returning to Hazeldean, Brett Tremain and his daughter Ailee, Yeoval, purchased the son of Nerstane 404 by Charinga 140975 to join with specially selected ewes to breed rams for his own use.
"He is a safe sheep, with very consistent figures " Mr Tremain said.
"His correct conformation backs up his figures, and his actual fleece weight backs the ASBV's."
The figures Mr Tremain was referring to included 18.8 micron, 6.8 greasy fleece weight and 99.5% comfort factor.
The rams Australian Sheep Breeding Value's indicated 3.2 yearling weight kg (yWT kg), 42.7 yearling clean fleece weight (yCFW%), -1.9 yearling fibre diameter, (yFDum), -0.4 yearling fibre diameter coefficient of variation (yFDCV%), and 2.5 breech wrinkle (BRW).
The Merino Production Plus (MP+) index was 212, the Fibre Production Plus (FP+) index was 192 and the Dual Purpose Plus (DP+) index was 203 - all in the top five percentile for the 2020 drop animals in the Sheep Genetics Australia program.
The Hazeldean catalogue noted the selection of animals using the indexes ensures balanced genetic progress is made towards a more profitable sheep production system.
Mr Tremain selected a draft of three rams for average price of $6500.
Losing bidders were Tony and Alex Hill, Cootamundra, who nevertheless selected a draft of 30 new rams to a top price of $8500 and average of $5267.
Their top priced ram had the fleece measurements of 18.4 micron, 5.3 GFW and 99.5% CF, while its ASBV's indicated 6.7 (yWT kg), 32.2 (yCFW%), -1.7 (yDum) and -1.6 (yFDCV%), with 197 MP+, 179 FP+ and 191 DP+.
Other buyers at the top end of the catalogue included longterm clients Goorama Pty Ltd, Galong, who paid to $9500 in their draft of nine rams which averaged $7444 and Coolringdon Pastoral, Cooma, who paid to $9500 in their selection of 12 rams which averaged $5833.
The sale was interfaced with AuctionsPlus through which platform 13 rams were purchased.
When opening the sale, Jim Litchfield drew woolgrowers attention to the forthcoming Australian Wool Innovation elections for board members on November 19 and encouraged everyone to register to vote.
Mr Litchfield also encouraged woolgrowers to consider the candidates Michael Field and Steven Read, along with Don Macdonald, current AWI board member who was at the sale.
The current chairman who is also up for re-lection Jock Laurie was also present during the sale and taking keen note of the rams for sale.
The sale was settled by Nutrien Ag Soultions, Cooma, with auctioneers Rick Power and Hamish McGeoch taking the gavel in turn.
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Stephen Burns
Jackaroo on Merino sheep studs in the Riverina, a lifetime working on the land with sheep, cropping and cattle. Graduate Charles Sturt Uni with degree in Business and a Dean's Certificate. Graduate C.B. Alexander Agricultural College
Jackaroo on Merino sheep studs in the Riverina, a lifetime working on the land with sheep, cropping and cattle. Graduate Charles Sturt Uni with degree in Business and a Dean's Certificate. Graduate C.B. Alexander Agricultural College
