Award-winning ram tops Collandra North's Tumby Bay sale at $20,000 amid a full clearance of 129 rams
Summary
An award-winning 12-month-old ram headlined the Collandra North sale at Tumby Bay, selling for a top price of $20,000 before heading to a pastoral station in western New South Wales. The stud achieved a full clearance of 129 rams for a healthy $2426 average, comfortably ahead of the previous year's $8000 top and lifting the average by more than $700. The August-drop sale topper placed first in the All Purpose Strong Wool Lamb class and second in the Strong Wool Lamb competition at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo. Offered as lot 3, he weighed 130.5 kilograms with a 22.6 micron fleece, a standard deviation of 3, a coefficient of variation of 13.3 and a comfort factor of 98.8, along with a fat score of 8 and an eye muscle depth of 46.1mm. He was bought by regular clients running a 16,000-ewe flock, who intend to join him with their stud ewes. Buyers travelled from throughout Victoria and New South Wales, with a strong contingent from the Eyre Peninsula and Mid North. Of the 44 registered bidders, one operation took 13 rams to average $2446, another secured 12 at a $1900 average, and a further buyer took nine to average $2000. The vendors have worked to spread their genetics across many states, noting their furthest client is roughly 18 hours away. Auctioneers praised the sale topper as an outstanding young ram and highlighted the flock's combination of size, bone, growth, carcase quality and bale-filling wool.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $20,000 |
| Rams sold | 129 (full clearance) |
| Average | $2,426 |
| Average increase vs 2025 | more than $700 |
| Top ram age | 12 months |
| Top ram weight | 130.5 kg |
| Top ram micron | 22.6 |
| Registered bidders | 44 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at Collandra North?
The sale topped at $20,000 for an award-winning 12-month-old ram. It is headed to a pastoral station in western New South Wales.
What was the average and clearance?
The stud achieved a full clearance of 129 rams at a $2426 average. That lifted the average by more than $700 on the previous year.
What made the top ram notable?
The August-drop ram placed first in the All Purpose Strong Wool Lamb class and second in the Strong Wool Lamb competition at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo. He weighed 130.5kg with a 22.6 micron fleece.
What were the top ram's measurements?
Lot 3 recorded a standard deviation of 3, a coefficient of variation of 13.3 and a comfort factor of 98.8. He also had a fat score of 8 and an eye muscle depth of 46.1mm.
Where did buyers travel from?
Buyers came from throughout Victoria and New South Wales, plus a strong contingent from the Eyre Peninsula and Mid North. There were 44 registered bidders.
Who bought in volume?
One operation took 13 rams to average $2446. Another secured 12 at a $1900 average, and a further buyer took nine to average $2000.
What do buyers value in these rams?
Auctioneers highlighted the sheep's size, bone, growth and carcase quality, along with bale-filling wool. The genetics are considered adaptable across varying environments.
