Bungulla Merino rams clear 108 head at Manilla for a record $2958 average
Summary
Merino rams displaying muscle depth, desirable fat cover and strong wool-cutting credentials attracted solid buyer demand at the 24th annual Bungulla Merinos on-property ram sale at Manilla on Friday, October 9. All 108 rams offered found new homes for a 100 per cent clearance, with the top price of $7000 reached on two occasions.
The record average of $2958 was a $767 increase on last year's sale, reflecting strong competition for the stud's Merino genetics and continued demand for well-grown, productive rams.
Tag 250185, a Poll Merino ram weighing 103.5 kilograms sired by Bungulla 55, made $7000 to long-standing clients from Niangala, who secured two rams for a $5250 average. The ram recorded 6.5 millimetres of rib fat, an eye muscle depth of 40.5 millimetres, a greasy fleece weight of 4.5 kilograms and a comfort factor of 99.67 per cent. The buyers have used Bungulla genetics for more than 15 years and said staple length, fleece weight, bright wool and frame remained their priorities when selecting sires.
Tag 250199, a Poll Merino ram weighing 115.5 kilograms sired by Bungulla 553, also made $7000, going to first-time Bungulla buyers Kilphysic Merino stud, Gunnedah. He recorded 6 millimetres of rib fat, an eye muscle depth of 41 millimetres, a greasy fleece weight of 4.3 kilograms and a comfort factor of 99.33 per cent.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered, sold | 108 offered, 108 sold |
| Clearance rate | 100 per cent |
| Top price | $7000, twice |
| Record average | $2958 |
| Year-on-year average lift | Up $767 |
| Volume buyer purchase, average | 15 rams at $2566 |
| Top ram eye muscle depth | 40.5 millimetres |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Bungulla Merino ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $7000, a price reached on two occasions. The sale averaged $2958, a stud record. All 108 rams offered sold for a 100 per cent clearance.
How much did the average rise?
The $2958 average was a $767 increase on the 2025 sale. The stud attributed the lift to strong competition for its Merino genetics and continued demand for well-grown, productive rams.
What figures did the first top-priced ram record?
Tag 250185, a Poll Merino weighing 103.5 kilograms sired by Bungulla 55, recorded 6.5 millimetres of rib fat and an eye muscle depth of 40.5 millimetres. His greasy fleece weight was 4.5 kilograms and his comfort factor 99.67 per cent.
What figures did the second top-priced ram record?
Tag 250199, a Poll Merino weighing 115.5 kilograms sired by Bungulla 553, recorded 6 millimetres of rib fat and an eye muscle depth of 41 millimetres. His greasy fleece weight was 4.3 kilograms and his comfort factor 99.33 per cent.
Who bought the top-priced rams?
Long-standing clients from Niangala took Tag 250185, buying two rams for a $5250 average after more than 15 years using Bungulla genetics. Kilphysic Merino stud, Gunnedah, took Tag 250199 as first-time Bungulla ram buyers, having previously bought cattle from the vendors.
Who was the volume buyer?
Ramsey Ag, Warren, secured 15 rams for a $2566 average, reaching $3500 on three occasions. That was the largest single draft of the sale.
What did the stud say about the draft?
The stud representative said this year's offering was arguably the strongest it had presented, citing improvements in wool cut, capacity, muscle depth, fat cover and overall balance. He described them as the most balanced rams the stud had bred and said the program would continue building on those traits.
Who conducted the sale?
Elders Stud Stock was the selling agent, with the sale also interfaced online via AuctionsPlus. The stud reported strong competition from both returning and first-time buyers, which it read as confidence in its breeding direction and in the broader sheep industry given current wool and meat market conditions.
