Coolawang Border Leicester sale clears 176 head at Mundulla West for a $2034 average
Summary
The Mundulla West based Coolawang stud reaffirmed its standing as one of the nation's leading Border Leicester studs, drawing buyers from three states and a substantial lift in average across both the ram and ewe offerings at its 25th annual sale. The stud recorded a total clearance of all 176 stud and flock rams and stud ewes for a $2034 average.
The sale high of $10,500 came at lot five for a stud ram bred from one of Coolawang's most successful lines, the Victory family. The late July 2025-drop ram carried Lambplan figures including a greasy fleece weight of 13.5 and a post-weaning weight of 8.65, and was bought by Cloverlea stud, Naracoorte.
Last year's top-price buyers, Carapugna stud, Geelong, Victoria, took lot 1, an artificially bred son of Glencorrie 2000038 that was widely regarded as the pick of the catalogue, for $9000. Coolawang's eight stud rams averaged $5125.
One of the sale's highlights was a draft of 18 selected stud ewes, which sold into three states for a $1178 average, well up on 2025 when only half the ewes found homes. Scott Bros, Sale, Victoria, bought the highest-priced ewe for the second year running, paying $2200 for lot 196.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total lots offered, sold | 176 offered, 176 sold (100 per cent) |
| Overall average | $2034 |
| Sale high | $10,500 |
| Stud rams sold, average | 8 at $5125 |
| Flock rams top, average | 138 to $3600 at $1936 |
| Specially selected rams top, average | 12 to $4000 at $2383 |
| Stud ewes top, average | 18 to $2200 at $1178 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Coolawang sale top at?
The sale high was $10,500 for a stud ram at lot five. All 176 stud and flock rams and stud ewes sold for a total clearance at a $2034 average. Buyers came from three states.
What were the figures on the top-priced ram?
The late July 2025-drop ram carried Lambplan figures including a greasy fleece weight of 13.5 and a post-weaning weight of 8.65. He was bred from the Victory family, which the stud principal described as the source of its big, long, structurally correct sheep, including its record ram. Cloverlea stud, Naracoorte, bought him.
What did the flock rams make?
The 138 Border Leicester flock rams topped at $3600 and averaged $1936. A separate draft of 12 specially selected rams topped at $4000 for a $2383 average. In 2025, 144 flock rams averaged $1495.
What did the stud ewes make?
The 18 selected stud ewes sold into three states for a $1178 average, well up on 2025 when only half the ewes found homes. Scott Bros, Sale, Victoria, paid the top of $2200 for lot 196, the highest-priced ewe for the second year in a row.
Who was the volume buyer?
Marmon Pastoral, Jabuk, led the ram buyer list with 31 rams for a $1702 average, and also bought eight stud ewes at a $1000 average to start a stud flock. The operation has bought its rams solely from Coolawang for the past five years, citing structure, bone and longevity, and noting wool accounts for 30 per cent of income.
Who were the other multiple buyers?
A Western Flat buyer won many of the bidding duels to secure 15 rams for a $2553 average, while The Snuggery, Kingston SE, bought 15 rams for a $1333 average. CR Pastoral, Woolumbool, a specialist first-cross ewe seller, took 12 rams for a $2508 average, including two specially selected rams at $2800 each.
What did the stud principal say about the result?
He was thrilled with the total clearance and grateful to long-term clients. He said the rams were affordable in the current commercial market and that sheep and lamb prices were reflected in the prices achieved. Buyers were able to select the rams they wanted, with some still making $1200 at full clearance.
How is the Border Leicester-Merino ewe positioned?
The stud acknowledged growing competition from composites but maintained the Border Leicester-Merino ewe remains an important prime lamb dam, pointing to its focus on wool quality. The selling agent praised the evenness of the draft and noted stronger bidding on rams with finer wool and high greasy fleece weight figures.
