Kedleston Park's top Poll Merino ram makes $7000 and heads to Gippsland as the sale average climbs to $3121
Summary
A central Victorian ram will head to a Gippsland operation for stud duties after topping Kedleston Park's annual on-property sale at Calivil. The top-priced ram made $7000 and was one of 33 sold from 40 offered. The Poll Merino rams averaged $3121, a $390 lift on last year, when 36 rams averaged $2371. The top ram, Lot 3, was secured by a Giffard West Merino stud whose buyers could not attend in person and instead bid through a sheep specialist. It recorded fleece measurements of 18.4 micron, 2.7 standard deviation, 14.4 coefficient of variation and a 99.17 per cent comfort factor, and was bought to join a mob of ewes and build a new family, with data suited to increasing eye muscle and fat in its progeny. The stud principal said the ram had been a favourite for its structure and quality wool. A Buangor sheep classer purchased four rams on behalf of an Ararat pastoral company, including the equal second top-priced ram at $6500. That second ram, Lot 6, recorded 19.7 micron, 2.9 standard deviation, 14.6 coefficient of variation and a 99.7 per cent comfort factor. The auctioneer said the top-end rams sold for some of the best prices the stud had recorded, with solid results around the $4000 to $6000 mark, while buyers still found good value on $1500 to $2000 rams. The offering was described as modern and good-bodied, following a marked seasonal turnaround over the past 12 months.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $7000 |
| Rams sold | 33 of 40 |
| Average price | $3121 |
| Average increase on last year | $390 |
| Last year average | $2371 |
| Equal second top price | $6500 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 18.4 micron |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What was the top price at Kedleston Park's 2026 ram sale?
A1: The top-priced ram made $7000 and will head to a Gippsland operation for stud duties. It was one of 33 rams sold from 40 offered.
Q2: What did the rams average?
A2: The Poll Merino rams averaged $3121, a $390 lift on the previous year. Last year 36 rams averaged $2371.
Q3: What were the top ram's fleece measurements?
A3: Lot 3 recorded 18.4 micron, 2.7 standard deviation, 14.4 coefficient of variation and a 99.17 per cent comfort factor. Its data was seen as suited to increasing eye muscle and fat in its progeny.
Q4: How was the top ram purchased?
A4: The buyers, a Giffard West Merino stud, could not attend in person. They bid through a sheep specialist and plan to join the ram to a mob of ewes to create a new family.
Q5: What was the second top-priced ram?
A5: The equal second top-priced ram sold for $6500 to an Ararat pastoral company. That ram, Lot 6, recorded 19.7 micron, 2.9 standard deviation, 14.6 coefficient of variation and a 99.7 per cent comfort factor.
Q6: How did the wider offering sell?
A6: Top-end rams achieved some of the best prices the stud had recorded, with solid results around the $4000 to $6000 mark. Buyers still found good value on rams in the $1500 to $2000 range.
Q7: How had the season changed?
A7: The stud reported a marked turnaround over the past 12 months. The rams were described as modern and good-bodied, having grown plenty of wool and meat.
