Third-generation buyers drive Almondvale's Urana ram sale, with White Suffolks topping at $4250 and Poll Merinos reaching $3750.
Summary
Third-generation buyers again turned out for the Almondvale Poll Merino and White Suffolk annual sale at Urana on September 11, underlining the loyalty a consistent stud can build. White Suffolk rams led demand, with 106 of 120 offered selling to a $4250 top and a $1955 average before a large crowd drawn from New South Wales and Victoria. In the Poll Merino offering, 19 of 40 rams sold to a top of $3750, reached twice, for an average of $2031. The sale-topping White Suffolk, the very first lot, weighed 104 kilograms and carried a 35.07 square centimetre eye muscle area, heading to a stud buyer impressed by its length and conformation. An equal top-priced Poll Merino, sired by Glenlea Park Wally, offered a 96 greasy fleece weight percentage, a 99.1 per cent comfort factor, a 40 millimetre eye muscle depth and an 18.4-micron fleece. The other leading Poll Merino, a 99-kilogram ram, recorded a 17.9 micron, a 99.7 per cent comfort factor, a 105 per cent greasy fleece weight percentage and a 36 millimetre eye muscle depth. Buyers valued the rams being grown under natural, non-grain-fed conditions and prized for prime lamb production. Volume support came from a pastoral operation at Deniliquin that secured 37 White Suffolk rams for two properties. Elders and Nutrien conducted the sale, with all remaining rams cleared afterwards.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
|
White Suffolk rams sold |
106 of 120 |
|
White Suffolk top price |
$4250 |
| White Suffolk average | $1955 |
| Poll Merino rams sold | 19 of 40 |
|
Poll Merino top price |
$3750 (twice) |
|
Poll Merino average |
$2031 |
|
Top White Suffolk eye muscle area |
35.07 sq cm |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the top prices at the Almondvale sale?
White Suffolk rams topped at $4250, while Poll Merinos reached $3750 twice. The sale was held on-property at Urana on September 11.
How many rams sold and at what averages?
A total of 106 of 120 White Suffolk rams sold for a $1955 average. In the Poll Merino offering, 19 of 40 rams sold for a $2031 average.
What were the top White Suffolk ram's measurements?
The sale-topping White Suffolk was the first lot, weighing 104 kilograms with a 35.07 square centimetre eye muscle area. It was valued for its length and conformation.
What did the leading Poll Merino rams offer?
One equal top-priced Poll Merino had a 96 greasy fleece weight percentage, a 99.1 per cent comfort factor, a 40 millimetre eye muscle depth and an 18.4-micron fleece. Another leading ram weighed 99 kilograms with a 17.9 micron and a 36 millimetre eye muscle depth.
Why do buyers favour the Almondvale rams?
Buyers noted the rams are bred under natural conditions rather than grain-fed, so their appearance reflects their true state. The stud is regarded as consistently well presented and continually improving its genetics.
Who was the largest volume buyer?
A pastoral operation at Deniliquin bought 37 White Suffolk rams for two of its properties. Buyers travelled from across New South Wales and Victoria.
Which agents ran the sale?
Elders and Nutrien conducted the sale. All remaining rams were secured afterwards.
