Bella Lana Poll Merino ram sale lifts its average $1284 to $3685 with a $11,000 top at Dripstone
Summary
Repeat bidding competition drove a strong 18th annual Bella Lana Poll Merino stud ram sale at Dripstone, near Wellington, on Friday, September 18. Of the 121 rams offered, 119 sold to a top of $11,000 and averaged $3685, lifting the sale average by $1284 on the previous year's result for 92 rams. The $11,000 sale-topper, Lot 19, tag 250007, was a Ridgeway-sired ram carrying seven breeding values in the top 20 per cent of industry figures, including the Merino lamb and sustainable Merino indexes, post-weaning and yearling weights, yearling clean fleece weight and ewe rearing ability, with yearling fat depth and intramuscular fat among the top 30 per cent. It went to the Merryanbone stud, Canonba, which runs about 6700 ewes averaging 20 microns and cutting a seven-kilogram fleece, and this year returned 145 per cent of lambs mustered. First-time buyers from Dapper Pastoral Co, Avondale, secured 12 rams for a $4417 average, including one of two equal second-top rams at $8500. The other $8500 ram, plus one at $7500, went to long-standing client Anglewood, Dunedoo. Other repeat support came from Mehruda, Bakers Swamp, on eight rams at a $5188 average, Triangle Flat, Lyndhurst, on two rams at $7000 each, and Reedy Creek Partners on five rams to $6500. A Mungullala operation returned to buy 10 rams, while a Yass buyer took six at a $3167 average. Nutrien Stud Stock, Dubbo, conducted the sale, underlining rising demand for high-yielding, quality Merino wool genetics.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered | 121 |
| Rams sold | 119 |
| Top price | $11,000 |
| Average price | $3685 |
| Average increase on last year | $1284 |
| Second equal-top price | $8500 |
| Sale-topper breeding values in top 20% | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did the Bella Lana ram sale compare with last year?
The 2026 average of $3685 was up $1284 on the previous year, when 92 rams sold. This year, 119 of the 121 rams offered found buyers.
What was the top price and what drove it?
The top price was $11,000 for Lot 19, tag 250007. The Ridgeway-sired ram carried seven breeding values in the top 20 per cent of industry figures, including the Merino lamb and sustainable Merino indexes.
What were the sale-topper's key breeding values?
It featured post-weaning and yearling weights, yearling clean fleece weight and ewe rearing ability among its top 20 per cent traits. Its yearling fat depth and intramuscular fat were among the top 30 per cent.
What were the second equal-top rams?
Two rams shared the second-top price of $8500. One went to a first-time buying operation and the other to a long-standing client.
Who bought the most rams?
A first-time buying operation from Avondale secured 12 rams for a $4417 average. This included one of the $8500 equal second-top rams.
What kind of flocks are buying these rams?
Buyers included operations joining between 2500 and 6700 ewes and running wool from 17 to 20 microns. Several were focused on adding wool quantity without sacrificing quality or on moving toward non-mulesed flocks.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Stud Stock, Dubbo. It was the stud's 18th annual ram sale.
