Callowie Poll Merino stud returns to on-property helmsman selling at Bordertown with a $1456 ram average and a $3500 top
Summary
The Callowie Poll Merino stud returned to on-property selling at Bordertown after a one-year hiatus, staging a helmsman auction that delivered a solid result. Of the 80 May/June 2025-drop rams offered, 52 sold for an average of $1456, marking the stud's first auction since 2024. Five new buyers joined the sale, mostly from the South East, many having first seen the rams displayed at the recent South East Merino Field Day at Keith. The top price of $3500 and the second-highest $3000 both went to the same Naracoorte operation. The $3500 ram, Lot 14, carried fleece of 18.2 micron with 3.2 standard deviation, 16 coefficient of variation and a 99 per cent comfort factor, while Lot 1 measured 17.8 micron, 2.7 standard deviation, 14 coefficient of variation and 99.7 comfort factor at $3000. The Callowie offering emphasised scale, volume and the stud's signature five Cs of conformation, covering, constitution, carcase and consistency. The breeding focus centres on genuine dual-purpose sheep with strong carcase attributes and the capacity to cut good quantities of wool, targeting the 18.5 to 20 micron range. A volume buyer secured 12 Callowie rams, with the big-bodied, well-woolled genetics allowing surplus wethers to be sold as feeder lambs within about 12 months at around 50 kilograms while still shearing a valuable clip. The joint Nutrien and Elders auction underscored renewed commercial confidence in the Callowie bloodline and its balance of meat and wool production for mixed enterprises across the region.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered | 80 |
| Rams sold | 52 |
| Average price | $1456 |
| Top price | $3500 |
| Second-highest price | $3000 |
| New buyers | 5 |
| Target micron range | 18.5-20 micron |
| Volume buyer rams purchased | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did the Callowie ram sale perform in 2026?
The stud offered 80 May/June 2025-drop rams and sold 52 for an average of $1456. It marked Callowie's return to on-property selling at Bordertown after a one-year hiatus, with the previous auction held in 2024.
What was the top price at the Callowie sale?
The top price was $3500, paid for Lot 14, while the second-highest ram made $3000. Both rams were bought by the same Naracoorte operation.
What were the fleece measurements of the top rams?
Lot 14 carried 18.2 micron wool with a 3.2 standard deviation, 16 coefficient of variation and a 99 per cent comfort factor. The $3000 ram measured 17.8 micron with 2.7 standard deviation, 14 coefficient of variation and 99.7 comfort factor.
What is Callowie's breeding focus?
The stud breeds genuine dual-purpose sheep with strong carcase traits and the ability to cut good volumes of wool. It targets wool in the 18.5 to 20 micron range and emphasises its five Cs of conformation, covering, constitution, carcase and consistency.
What format was used for the sale?
The rams were offered through a helmsman auction, which the stud said worked well on its return after a break. The format helped sell 52 of the 80 rams on the day.
Were there new buyers at the sale?
Yes, five new buyers joined the sale, mostly from the South East. Many had first seen the rams on display at the recent South East Merino Field Day at Keith.
How can buyers use the wether progeny from these rams?
The big-bodied, well-woolled genetics allow surplus wethers to be sold as feeder lambs within about 12 months at around 50 kilograms. They can also shear a valuable wool clip in that time.
Who conducted the Callowie sale?
The sale was a joint Nutrien and Elders auction. It was held on-property at Bordertown.
