Hillcreston Park Merino ram sale tops $4000 at Bigga for a $1977 average
Summary
A desire for frame and the right wool inspired the top bid at the Hillcreston Park sale at Bigga on Thursday, October 16. The stud sold 33 of 49 lots for an average of $1977, with some lots selling after the auction.
A long-term Omeo buyer from Victoria, a client since the 1990s, bid to the $4000 top for a two-year-old Poll Merino, tag 24-1100. Bred from a Green Poll sire, the ram carried a 15.3 micron fleece with a 2.1 micron standard deviation, a 13.9 per cent coefficient of variation and 110 fibre curvature.
The buyer aims for 16 to 17 micron across his property and supplies fine wool under contract to an Italian fabric mill. He said he only buys a ram if it has a good frame and stands up, describing himself as bloody fussy, and took five rams in total across horned and Poll Merinos for a $2300 average.
The second-highest price of the day was a two-year-old horned Merino, tag 24-011. The Commander son measured 13.7 micron with a 2.4 standard deviation, a 17.5 per cent coefficient of variation and 105 fibre curvature, selling for $3750 to Merrin Ag, Penshurst, Victoria.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Lots offered, sold | 49 offered, 33 sold |
|
Sale average |
$1977 |
|
Top price |
$4000 |
| Second top price |
$3750 |
| Volume buyer purchase, average |
9 rams at $1667 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 15.3 micron |
| Finest ram sold | 13.7 micron |
| Wool cut gain over 15 years | One kilogram a head |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Hillcreston Park ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $4000 for a two-year-old Poll Merino, tag 24-1100. The stud sold 33 of 49 lots for an average of $1977, with some lots selling after the auction. The second-highest price was $3750.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
Bred from a Green Poll sire, the two-year-old carried a 15.3 micron fleece with a 2.1 micron standard deviation. His coefficient of variation was 13.9 per cent and fibre curvature 110.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
A long-term Omeo buyer from Victoria, a client since the 1990s, secured him. He aims for 16 to 17 micron across his property and supplies fine wool under contract to an Italian fabric mill. He bought five rams in total, a mix of horned and Poll Merinos, for a $2300 average.
What was that buyer selecting on?
He said he only buys a ram if it has a good frame and stands up, describing the operation as bloody fussy. He said that standard is what keeps him returning to the stud.
What made the second top price?
A two-year-old horned Merino, tag 24-011, made $3750 to Merrin Ag, Penshurst, Victoria. The Commander son measured 13.7 micron with a 2.4 standard deviation, a 17.5 per cent coefficient of variation and 105 fibre curvature. That buyer took three rams in total, all horned and about 14 micron, for a $2583 average.
Who was the volume buyer?
Kashmir Merinos, Wee Jasper, a buyer at the sale for 25 years, picked up nine rams for a $1667 average. That included a $3000 horned Merino, tag 24-54, described by the auctioneer as the best Hummer son in the catalogue, with a 13.8 micron fleece, a 2.4 standard deviation, a 17.1 per cent coefficient of variation and 140 fibre curvature.
Which interstate buyers attended?
Buyers came from three states. First-time Tasmanian buyers Kelvedon Estate Trust, Swansea, paid $3000 for a two-year-old stud Poll ram, tag 24-001, the first Poll Merino offered. The Grandio son had a 15.4 micron fleece with a 2.0 standard deviation, a 13.1 per cent coefficient of variation and 110 fibre curvature. It was their sole purchase after travelling to view the offering in person, though they were underbidder on other lots.
What is the stud breeding for?
The stud said it is on a path of constant improvement, having increased its wool cut by one kilogram a head over the past 15 years while maintaining superfine characteristics. The aim is sweeter, finer microns while holding the wool cut. The stud also ceased mulesing about nine years ago and has been working to plain the sheep up.
