Ferny Hill SheepMaster ram sale tops $10,000 twice at Gundagai
Summary
Clean composite rams with a commercial focus drew solid bidding at the Ferny Hill SheepMaster stud sale at Gundagai on Friday, September 25. Of the 50 self-shedding rams offered, 43 sold at auction for an average of $2465, with the $10,000 top price achieved twice. All remaining rams were sold after the auction. The top price was up on the previous year's high of $8500.
Both $10,000 rams headed to Twin Peaks SheepMaster stud, Gnowellen, Western Australia, which bought a third ram at $2500. The top-selling lot, tag 6002, was a twin by Ferny Hill Syndicate weighing 90 kilograms at 13 months, presenting a 36-square-centimetre eye muscle area, a fat depth of 5.5 millimetres and an adult scrotal circumference of 34 centimetres for a score of 49 out of 50 in the Garnett Scoring System. The equal-top lot, tag 6003, also by Ferny Hill Syndicate, weighed 89 kilograms with a 37-square-centimetre eye muscle area and the same Garnett score.
A heavy Maverick twin ram, tag 1785, made $7750 to Westleigh White Suffolk and SheepMaster stud, Lake Wongan, Victoria. Weighing 98 kilograms at 13 months, it recorded a 39-square-centimetre eye muscle area and a perfect Garnett score of 50.
A commercial producer from Wellington took nine rams at a $2389 average. Delta Livestock and Property, Young, hosted the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered | 50 |
| Rams sold at auction | 43 |
| Top price, achieved twice | $10,000 |
| Average price | $2465 |
| Previous year top price | $8500 |
| Third-highest price | $7750 |
| Garnett Scoring System score of the $7750 ram | 50 out of 50 |
| Weight of the top-selling ram at 13 months | 90 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Ferny Hill SheepMaster ram sale top at?
The top price of $10,000 was achieved twice, with both rams heading to Twin Peaks SheepMaster stud, Gnowellen, Western Australia. The average across 43 rams sold at auction was $2465. All remaining rams sold after the auction.
How did the result compare with last year?
The $10,000 top price was up on the previous year's high of $8500. The stud reported increasing stud and commercial interest.
What figures did the top-selling rams record?
Tag 6002 weighed 90 kilograms at 13 months with a 36-square-centimetre eye muscle area, a fat depth of 5.5 millimetres and an adult scrotal circumference of 34 centimetres, scoring 49 out of 50 in the Garnett Scoring System. Tag 6003 weighed 89 kilograms with a 37-square-centimetre eye muscle area and an adult scrotal circumference of 36 centimetres, also scoring 49. Both were by Ferny Hill Syndicate.
What made the third-highest price?
A heavy Maverick twin ram, tag 1785, made $7750 to Westleigh White Suffolk and SheepMaster stud, Lake Wongan, Victoria. It weighed 98 kilograms at 13 months with a 39-square-centimetre eye muscle area, a fat depth of 5 millimetres and an adult scrotal circumference of 34 centimetres. It recorded a perfect Garnett score of 50.
What does the stud breed for?
The stud aims to produce a fully shedding ram that is grass fed only, with no shearing at any stage of life, and ewes that wean as many lambs as possible. Its stated priorities are fertility first, followed by structure and then growth.
Who were the volume buyers?
A commercial producer from Wellington took nine rams at a $2389 average. A Condobolin buyer took six rams at a $1500 average.
What production figures has the stud reported?
The stud's commercial ewes numbered 3500 in 2025 and have achieved lambing percentages of 155 to 160 per cent to ewes joined over the past three years. Its 2025 wethers averaged $340 across the whole drop. April and May-drop ewe lambs are averaging 44 kilograms.
Who hosted the sale?
The sale was hosted by Delta Livestock and Property, Young. It was held on-property at Gundagai.
