Grassy Creek Merino ram sale tops $10,000 for a $3635 average
Summary
Longtime buyers and customers looking to get more wool and meat out of their Merinos gave strong support to the Grassy Creek Merinos 15th annual on-property sale on Monday, October 12. From a total of 180 lots, 174 sold for an average of $3635 and a top of $10,000 for Grassy Creek 250300.
While the top was back on last year's $12,500, both the clearance and the average improved on the 2025 sale, when 153 of 180 lots sold for a $3417 average.
The sale-high ram went home with a Cootamundra producer. He measured Australian sheep breeding values in the top 10 per cent for yearling clean fleece weight at +31.2 and a sustainable Merino score in the top 20 per cent at +153. The March-shorn homozygous poll sire, by Lachlan Merinos 220118 out of Grassy Creek 230871, also cut a 19.2 micron fleece with a standard deviation of 2.8 and a coefficient of variation of 14.5.
Grassy Creek 250471, by Yarrawonga 230903 out of Grassy Creek 211083, made the second-highest price of the day at $9500 to Kuriong, Binalong. The sire ranked in the top 20 per cent for both yearling and adult clean fleece weight, and tested at 18.3 micron with a 2.9 standard deviation and a 15.8 coefficient of variation.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Lots offered, sold | 180 offered, 174 sold |
| Sale average | $3635 |
| Top price | $10,000 |
| Second top price | $9500 |
| 2025 result | 153 of 180 at $3417 |
| Top ram yearling clean fleece weight | +31.2, top 10 per cent |
| Largest draft, average | 15 rams at $2900 |
| Sale edition | 15th annual |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Grassy Creek Merino sale top at?
The sale topped at $10,000 for Grassy Creek 250300. From 180 lots offered, 174 sold for an average of $3635. The second top price was $9500.
How did the result compare with 2025?
The top price was back on last year's $12,500, but both the clearance and the average improved. In 2025, 153 of 180 lots sold for a $3417 average. This year's clearance rose to 174 of 180.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
He measured in the top 10 per cent for yearling clean fleece weight at +31.2 and the top 20 per cent on the sustainable Merino index at +153. The March-shorn homozygous poll sire cut a 19.2 micron fleece with a 2.8 standard deviation and a 14.5 coefficient of variation. He is by Lachlan Merinos 220118 out of Grassy Creek 230871.
What made the second top price?
Grassy Creek 250471 sold for $9500 to Kuriong, Binalong. By Yarrawonga 230903 out of Grassy Creek 211083, he ranked in the top 20 per cent for both yearling and adult clean fleece weight. He tested at 18.3 micron with a 2.9 standard deviation and a 15.8 coefficient of variation.
What was that buyer chasing?
The buyers liked the data behind the ram and want to push their flock further towards a dual-purpose animal. They run about 2500 Merino ewes cutting an average of 6 kilograms at 17 micron in an annual shearing. They paid an average of $5428 for seven sires.
How are Grassy Creek genetics performing commercially?
One buyer reported the genetics had put meat on their wether lambs, allowing them to be turned off at 26 or 27 kilograms carcase weight while maintaining wool quality. With wether lambs returning around $300, they described adding carcase as the way forward. Another volume buyer was looking for more growth and fleece weight while holding microns at 17 to 17.3 and 4.6 kilogram fleeces.
Who were the volume buyers?
Blantyre Farms, Young, bought 15 rams to a $4500 top at a $2900 average, and Willow Bend Station, Boorowa, took 10 averaging $2750 with a $4500 high. Old Springfield Partnership, Cooma, paid an average of $4625 to a $6500 high for eight rams. Oaklands, Gunning, also took eight at a $2312 average, and Phils River Grazing, Limerick, eight at $1750 to a $2500 top.
What did the stud and agents say?
The selling agent said a mix of loyal regulars and a few new faces bolstered the sale, with buyers from the local district and towards Goulburn, the Monaro and the New England. He rated it as good a catalogue as the stud had put up front to back, with some of the softest wools he had handled this spring. The stud owner said the focus remains on sheep delivering high fleece value and high carcase value, and on capitalising returns per hectare.
