Strong wool prices lift Avenel Merinos' 48th annual ram sale to a $9500 top
Summary
Firm wool prices underpinned confident bidding at the 48th annual Avenel Merinos ram sale, held on-property at Wanganella. The opening lot commanded the highest price of $9500, selling to long-term repeat buyers from Euroa, Victoria. The 113.5-kilogram Poll Merino ram measured 17.2 micron with a 3.0 standard deviation, 17.6 per cent coefficient of variation, 99.1 per cent comfort factor and a 103 per cent clean fleece weight, and ranked in the top 5 per cent for yearling fibre diameter with a figure of -2.0. The same buyer also secured an 88.5-kilogram Poll Merino for $5500, a ram measuring 18.3 micron that sat in the top 5 per cent on the wool production and fine wool indexes with figures of +185 and +182. Another long-term repeat buyer built a draft of eight rams to average $4937, including the top-priced horned Merino at $6000 and the second top-priced Poll Merino at $7000. Volume buyers were active across the offering, with one taking 18 rams to average $1750, another 10 rams to average $2500, a third nine rams to average $3611 and a fourth eight rams to average $2464. At the fall of the hammer, 85 of 96 Poll Merino and Merino rams had sold to a top of $9500 and a $2791 average. Buyers chased rams with pure, heavy-cutting wool, sound frames and strong comfort-factor and softness traits, reflecting broad positivity across the wool market and the wider Merino industry.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top ram price |
$9500 |
|
Overall clearance |
85 of 96 sold |
| Overall average |
$2791 |
|
Top ram (Avenel 5M5005) |
17.2 micron, 113.5 kg |
|
Top ram YFD ASBV |
-2.0 (top 5%) |
|
Second Poll Merino price |
$7000 |
|
Top horned Merino price |
$6000 |
| Sale edition | 48th annual |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the 48th Avenel Merinos ram sale?
The opening lot topped the sale at $9500, a 113.5-kilogram Poll Merino ram. It sold to long-term repeat buyers from Euroa, Victoria.
What were the top ram's wool figures?
The top ram measured 17.2 micron with a 3.0 standard deviation, 17.6 per cent coefficient of variation, 99.1 per cent comfort factor and a 103 per cent clean fleece weight. It ranked in the top 5 per cent for yearling fibre diameter at -2.0.
What were the overall sale results?
A total of 85 of 96 Poll Merino and Merino rams sold to a top of $9500 and averaged $2791. The result reflected strong support in the top end of the offering.
What other high-priced rams sold?
One repeat buyer secured the second top-priced Poll Merino for $7000 and the top-priced horned Merino for $6000, within an eight-ram draft averaging $4937. Another ram sold for $5500 with figures in the top 5 per cent on the wool production and fine wool indexes.
Who were the volume buyers?
Several operations bought in numbers, taking 18 rams to average $1750, 10 rams to average $2500, nine rams to average $3611 and eight rams to average $2464. Many were repeat buyers with self-replacing Merino flocks.
What traits were buyers seeking?
Buyers wanted rams with pure, heavy-cutting wool, sound frames, and strong comfort-factor and softness traits. Those in higher rainfall areas favoured longer staple and more open fleeces.
What drove the confidence at the sale?
Strong wool prices and broad positivity across the Merino industry lifted confidence, particularly for the top end of the rams. Support came from long-term repeat buyers as well as some new clients.
