Carunna Vale launches its Poll Merino ram-selling career at Jamestown with a $4000 top twice and a $1695 debut average
Summary
A new South Australian Poll Merino stud made a confident start to its ram-selling career, hosting its first annual on-property sale at Jamestown. Local support was prominent, with all but two of the 25 registered bidders taking home rams. The Carunna Vale operation offered 80 rams and sold 66, reaching a top price of $4000 twice and a healthy debut average of $1695. The sale carried Bradfield bloodlines, following the principal's purchase of selected genetics from the Bradfield dispersal, giving established Bradfield clients a way to keep accessing that breeding under the new banner. The two top-priced rams shared the honours at $4000 each. One, a 116.5 kilogram ram sired by Glenlea Park 073, carried a 19.6 micron fleece with a 3.3 standard deviation, a 16.8 coefficient of variation, a 99.6 per cent comfort factor, a 115 per cent greasy fleece weight and a 42.6 millimetre eye muscle depth. The other, an 111 kilogram ram by Rices Creek 2757, offered an 18.1 micron fleece, a 128 per cent greasy fleece weight and a 42 millimetre eye muscle depth. One top ram was destined to be joined to 2.5-year-old ewes in a 1200-ewe commercial flock, while the other was set to be single-mated to hoggets to target extra frame and type. Several buyers secured pens of six and seven rams at averages between about $1000 and $2343. Conducted by Nutrien with Elders, the debut result exceeded expectations and drew strong follow-through from producers who had backed the Bradfield program.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams sold | 66 of 80 |
| Top price | $4000 (twice) |
| Sale average | $1695 |
| Registered bidders | 25 (all but two bought) |
| Lot 3 weight | 116.5 kg |
| Lot 3 fibre diameter | 19.6 micron |
| Lot 11 weight | 111 kg |
| Lot 11 fibre diameter | 18.1 micron |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did Carunna Vale's first sale go?
The debut on-property sale at Jamestown sold 66 of the 80 rams offered. It reached a top of $4000 twice and averaged $1695, a result the stud said exceeded expectations.
What was the top price?
Two rams shared the top price of $4000 each. Lots 3 and 11 were the joint top-sellers.
What are the Bradfield bloodlines mentioned in the sale?
The stud incorporates Bradfield bloodlines after its principal bought selected genetics from the Bradfield dispersal. This gives long-standing Bradfield clients a way to keep accessing that breeding under the Carunna Vale banner.
What were the wool figures of the top rams?
One top ram weighed 116.5 kilograms and carried a 19.6 micron fleece with a 99.6 per cent comfort factor and a 115 per cent greasy fleece weight. The other weighed 111 kilograms with an 18.1 micron fleece, a 99.8 per cent comfort factor and a 128 per cent greasy fleece weight.
How many bidders registered and how many bought?
The sale drew 25 registered bidders, and all but two took home rams. Local support was described as prominent.
How will the top rams be used?
One top ram was to be joined to 2.5-year-old ewes in a 1200-ewe commercial flock. The other was to be single-mated to hoggets to target additional frame and type.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Nutrien in conjunction with Elders. It was held as an on-property auction at Jamestown.
