Hazeldean Merino ram sale tops $13,500 at Cooma for a $3287 average
Summary
Strong support from wool producers across southern Australia helped Hazeldean to a near-perfect clearance at the Cooma stud's annual ram sale on Friday, October 16. All bar one of the 217 lots offered sold, for an average of $3287 and a top of $13,500.
The $13,500 ram, Hazeldean 25000421, by Hazeldean 23001072 out of Hazeldean 20000806, went to Nelenia Pastoral, Delegate. The Poll Merino sire tested at 16.6 micron with a greasy fleece weight of 5.6 kilograms and a comfort factor of 99.7 per cent. He measured in the top 5 per cent for yearling fibre diameter at -2.9 and the top 30 per cent for adult clean fleece weight at +21.4.
The buyers had been breeding their own rams for six or seven years but decided it was time for an injection of fresh genetics, having used Hazeldean bloodlines for 60 or 70 years. They collect data, pick out their top performers and put a suited ram over them, keeping the offspring.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Lots offered, sold | 217 offered, 216 sold |
| Sale average | $3287 |
| Top price | $13,500 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 16.6 micron |
| Top ram greasy fleece weight | 5.6 kilograms |
| Largest drafts | Two buyers at 20 lots each |
| Highest-averaging draft | 16 lots at $4438 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Hazeldean ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $13,500 for Hazeldean 25000421. All bar one of the 217 lots offered sold, for an average of $3287. The selling agent described it as a very even offering that hardly had a hole in it all the way through.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Nelenia Pastoral, Delegate, secured the Poll Merino sire. The family has used Hazeldean genetics for 60 or 70 years, beginning with the buyer's grandfather. After six or seven years breeding their own rams they decided to go back and buy a standout sire.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
He tested at 16.6 micron with a greasy fleece weight of 5.6 kilograms and a comfort factor of 99.7 per cent. On breeding values he was top 5 per cent for yearling fibre diameter at -2.9 and top 30 per cent for adult clean fleece weight at +21.4. He is by Hazeldean 23001072 out of Hazeldean 20000806.
What was that buyer looking for?
They wanted a sire performing well on micron and fleece weight, with a handy post-weaning weight a bonus for the wether job. The buyer said the ram ticked a lot of boxes on paper and then suited their style of wool when they inspected him. The operation runs about 9500 head across 1905 hectares, cutting 16 to 18 micron at 6.5 to 7 kilograms.
Who were the volume buyers?
A team of 20 rams went to TA Field Estates for Wyvern Station, Carathool, and Benangaroo Station, Jugiong, averaging $2925 to a $4000 top. DH Hill and Co, Springvale, Cootamundra, also took 20 lots at a $4325 average, paying $9000 for the top of its team. Hill Pastoral, Stockinbingal, bought 16 lots at a $4438 average to a $7500 high.
Who else bought in numbers?
CC Agriculture, Rocky Plains, Berridale, took 14 rams at a $2250 average. Coolringdon Pastoral Co bought 12 sires at a $3958 average to a $5500 top, and the Maple-Brown Investment Trust, Bethungra, also took 12 at $2750.
What are the big clients breeding for?
The genetic consultant for the two-station team said the focus is production and performance, working on the wool production index across about 26,000 ewes. One property's sheep must be non-mulesed, so skin and freeness in the skin are a priority there, while the other is more straight production-based. The business has followed Hazeldean blood for 30 years.
How did the rams handle the season?
The stud general manager said she was really happy with how the rams came through the Monaro's difficult winter, noting they were grown without supplementary feeding as a testament to their good constitution. She said the stud takes a balanced approach, aiming to deliver sires with high fleece weight, growth, structure, wool quality and commercial relevance. The selling agent noted a mixture of horns and polls, with many clients buying both for structure and wool cut.
