Brendarey Australian White ram sale tops $3000 at Birchip for a $1675 average
Summary
Low-maintenance genetics proved the ultimate selling point as commercial producers switching away from traditional wool breeds underpinned a strong clearance at the Brendarey Australian White stud's fifth annual ram sale. The Birchip stud sold 37 of the 48 Australian White rams offered on Friday to a top price of $3000 and an average of $1675.
The clearance improved year-on-year after the stud sold 22 of 41 rams at its October 2025 sale to a top price of $3600. The stud principals said buyers came from across the state, including the western district and Gippsland, and that the result reflected continued confidence in the breed's performance and the family's seedstock operation.
The top-priced ram, lot 14, 250079AI, a 100 kilogram August 2025-drop, sold for $3000 to repeat buyers from Nurcoung. The buyers run a mixed-farming operation and moved into Australian Whites about six years ago. The ram will be joined to their 600-ewe flock in mid-February.
The buyer first saw the ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo in July, where it won the ram under 1.5 years class. The stud said he had since developed into an impressive sire prospect combining strong muscling, excellent shedding ability and very good feet.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered, sold | 48 offered, 37 sold |
| Sale average | $1675 |
| Top price |
$3000 |
| 2025 result | 22 of 41, $3600 top |
| Top ram weight | 100 kilograms |
| Volume buyer purchase, top | 8 rams to $2000 |
| Sale edition | Fifth annual |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Brendarey Australian White sale top at?
The sale topped at $3000 for lot 14. The stud sold 37 of the 48 rams offered for an average of $1675. It was the stud's fifth annual ram sale.
How did the result compare with 2025?
The clearance improved year-on-year. At its October 2025 sale the stud sold 22 of 41 rams to a top price of $3600. This year it cleared 37 of 48 on a larger offering.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Repeat buyers from Nurcoung secured the 100 kilogram August 2025-drop ram. They run a mixed-farming operation and moved into Australian Whites about six years ago. The ram will be joined to their 600-ewe flock in mid-February.
Why are producers switching to Australian Whites?
Shearing costs and labour are driving the change. The top-priced ram's buyer said he still runs Merinos but finds it hard to get shearers, and that with his previous first-cross Suffolks it was costing more to shear than the wool was worth. A volume buyer cited both shearing costs and the price of replacement first-cross ewes.
What were the top ram's credentials?
He won the ram under 1.5 years class at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo in July, where his buyer first saw him. The stud said he had since developed into an impressive sire prospect, combining strong muscling, excellent shedding ability and very good feet. He reflects the influence of his sire, Tattykeel 230625.
Who were the volume buyers?
A Toolondo operation purchased eight rams to a top price of $2000. The buyers run a grain operation with sheep on the side and swapped to Australian Whites a few years ago, saying they have not looked back. They wanted something low maintenance alongside cropping and value being able to retain their own ewes.
What is the stud breeding for?
The principals have bred Australian Whites since 2014, steadily investing in leading genetics to improve carcase size, feet and shedding ability across both stud and commercial flocks. The focus remains on sheep that deliver in the paddock, combining shedding characteristics that reduce wool-related work with structural soundness and carcase attributes. Lambing is split into two periods to work around cropping and harvest, with the sheep thriving on stubbles.
Where did the rams sell to?
Buyers came from across the state, including the western district and Gippsland. The selling agent said repeat buyers from around the Horsham area were very strong, with one ram going as far as Bairnsdale and others heading to Boort, Kerang and Nhill. He rated the clearance rate as the highlight of the sale.
