Dual-purpose Ballatherie Poll Merino rams sell to $4600 top and $2021 average at Hillston on-property sale
Summary
Resilient, dual-purpose rams combining wool cut, quality and sire potential drew strong western demand at the Ballatherie Poll Merino ram sale at Hillston, held on-property on Friday, September 4. The result lifted on 2025, with 138 of 150 Merino rams sold to a top of $4600 and an average of $2021. A repeat top-end buyer from Moulamein secured the $4600 sale topper, a 102-kilogram ram whose fleece figures included 17.1 micron, a 2.7 standard deviation, a 15.6 coefficient of variation and a 99.65 per cent comfort factor. That operation selected 22 rams in all, describing them as remarkably uniform, and aims for a 19.5-micron average across its flock, ranging from 18.5 micron in one-year-olds to 21.5 micron in some six-year-olds. Running a twice-yearly shearing that cuts about four kilograms each time, the enterprise reported the Ballatherie breeding was paying dividends in both wool and fertility, recording 124 per cent lambing from ewes joined and valuing the rams as large, robust, dual-purpose sheep carrying plenty of hindquarter meat. Other volume buyers were active, with an Ivanhoe operation taking 36 rams and two further buyers securing 12 rams each. The stud principal said the industry is increasingly recognising the value of Merinos, and the enterprise backed up its strong ram sale by topping the following Monday's Hillston sheep sale, selling ewes to $495. Selling agents reported the trade was strong from the outset, with returning buyers placing big orders across the catalogue, reflecting sustained confidence in productive, wool-focused Merino genetics suited to challenging western conditions.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams sold | 138 of 150 Merino rams |
| Top price | $4600 (102 kg ram) |
| Sale average | $2021 |
| Top ram fleece | 17.1 micron, 99.65% comfort factor |
| Flock micron target | 19.5 micron average |
| Lambing rate | 124% from ewes joined |
| Hillston sheep sale ewe top | $495 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many rams sold at the 2026 Ballatherie Poll Merino sale?
A total of 138 of 150 Merino rams sold at the on-property sale held on Friday, September 4. They reached a top of $4600 and averaged $2021, an improvement on 2025.
What were the top-priced ram's details?
The $4600 sale topper weighed 102 kilograms. Its fleece figures included 17.1 micron, a 2.7 standard deviation, a 15.6 coefficient of variation and a 99.65 per cent comfort factor.
How many rams did the leading buyer take?
The top-priced ram went to a repeat top-end buyer from Moulamein, which selected 22 rams in all. The buyer described the selection as remarkably uniform.
What micron range does that flock target?
The operation aims for a 19.5-micron average across its flock. This ranges from 18.5 micron in one-year-olds to 21.5 micron in some six-year-olds.
What fertility result did the buyer report?
The enterprise reported 124 per cent lambing from ewes joined. It valued the rams as large, robust, dual-purpose sheep with plenty of hindquarter meat.
Did Ballatherie have other strong results that week?
Yes. The stud topped the following Monday's Hillston sheep sale, selling ewes to $495.
How often does the leading buyer shear?
The operation shears twice a year, cutting about four kilograms each time.
How was overall buyer demand described?
Selling agents reported the trade was strong from the outset. Returning buyers placed big orders across the catalogue.
