Darriwell Towonga Merino ram sale tops $16,000 at Peak Hill
Summary
Commercial wool growers spread their buying across the Towonga and Darriwell drafts at the joint on-property ram sale held at Rachelvale, Peak Hill, on Thursday, September 24, with interstate competition lifting returns. Of the 163 rams offered, 158 sold for a 97 per cent clearance, averaging $3487 and topping at $16,000. The result was up on 2025, when 149 of 155 rams sold to average $2741 and top at $14,250.
The Darriwell Poll Merino stud was purchased in 2024 and continues as a separate breeding program alongside the Towonga Merino and Poll Merino studs, with the former owner remaining involved as Darriwell classer.
The $16,000 top-priced ram, Towonga 25-0732, by Towonga Tops Syn, measured 18 micron with a 3.1 standard deviation, a 17.4 coefficient of variation and a 99.8 per cent comfort factor. It weighed 117 kilograms with a 42-millimetre eye muscle depth and was bought by a Barcaldine, Queensland, buyer through Elders Queensland, who also paid $6500 for Towonga 25-2112 for a two-ram average of $11,250.
Two rams made $12,000. Lot 1a, Towonga 25-4482, went to a Woodanilling, Western Australia, buyer, while Darriwell 25-2036 sold to Boomey Park, Larras Lee. Boomey Park was the volume buyer with 21 rams at a $5833 average, split about evenly between the two drafts.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered | 163 |
| Rams sold | 158 |
| Clearance rate | 97 per cent |
| Average price | $3487 |
| Top price | $16,000 |
| 2025 rams sold | 149 of 155 |
| 2025 average | $2741 |
| 2025 top price | $14,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Darriwell Towonga ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $16,000 for Towonga 25-0732. Two further rams made $12,000 each. The overall average was $3487.
How many rams sold?
Of the 163 rams offered, 158 sold for a 97 per cent clearance. The sale was held on-property at Rachelvale, Peak Hill.
How did the result compare with 2025?
In 2025, 149 of 155 rams sold to average $2741 with a top of $14,250. The 2026 sale lifted both the average and the top price across a slightly larger offering.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
Towonga 25-0732 measured 18 micron with a 3.1 standard deviation, a 17.4 coefficient of variation and a 99.8 per cent comfort factor. It weighed 117 kilograms with a 42-millimetre eye muscle depth. It was sired by Towonga Tops Syn.
Who were the volume buyers?
Boomey Park, Larras Lee, was the volume buyer with 21 rams at a $5833 average, split about evenly between the Towonga and Darriwell drafts. Illabunda, The Marra, bought 14 rams averaging $3393 to a top of $7500, and Tarrion, Brewarrina, took 10 rams averaging $2950.
How are the two studs run?
The Darriwell Poll Merino stud was purchased in 2024 and continues as a separate breeding program alongside the Towonga Merino and Poll Merino studs. The former owner remains involved as the Darriwell classer.
What micron are buyers targeting?
The volume buyer said they look for about a 19 to 20 micron ram. With the right management they expect those rams to breed ewes cutting 7 to 8 kilograms of wool.
Who conducted the sale?
The sale was conducted by Schute Bell, Hunter Schute Bell Rice & Co, and Elders. Two auctioneers shared the rostrum.
