Kiandra Poll Merino sale sets new stud record with $3541 average and $17,000 top price
Summary
The 31st annual Kiandra Poll Merino on-property ram sale delivered one of South Australia's standout Merino results of the season, drawing a standing-room-only crowd to the Senior-based stud. Ninety-four of 100 April to July 2026-drop rams sold to average an impressive $3541, a lift of more than $500 on the 2025 result when 76 rams found homes. The average eclipsed the previous SA benchmark set by Ridgway Advance stud roughly a week earlier and built on Kiandra's 2025 achievement of a $3019 average. Strong demand came from both stud and commercial breeders drawn to the unmulesed offering, which carried some of the highest ASBVs in the country after more than a decade of focus on early growth, wool production and animal welfare traits. A new stud top-price record of $17,000 was set for a 16.6-micron sale-topper ranking in the top 5 per cent for numerous traits, including a Sustainable Merino index of 173, a Wool Production Index of 198 and a clean fleece weight of 40.4. Rams travelled from Eyre Peninsula to Kangaroo Island, the Upper South East and western Victoria. Registered bidder numbers climbed to 41, reflecting growing interest in the program. Volume buyers were active across the catalogue, with one operation securing nine rams to $6000 at a $4356 average and another taking eight to $6600 at $4038. A further 70 rams offered after the main auction let buyers top up orders, with 13 selling to average $1354. The result confirmed the stud's rising reputation for modern, data-backed Merinos suited to a wide range of budgets and production systems.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Sale average (94 of 100 rams) | $3541 |
| Top price (new stud record) | $17,000 |
| 2025 sale average | $3019 |
| Rams sold / offered (main auction) | 94 of 100 |
| Registered bidders | 41 |
| Sale-topper fibre diameter | 16.6 micron |
| Sale-topper clean fleece weight | 40.4 |
| Post-auction rams sold / average | 13 at $1354 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What was the average price at the 2026 Kiandra Poll Merino sale?
A1: Ninety-four of 100 rams averaged $3541, a lift of more than $500 on the 2025 result. The average set a new benchmark, eclipsing the previous top SA Merino stud average recorded about a week earlier.
Q2: How many rams sold?
A2: In the main auction, 94 of 100 rams found homes. A further 70 rams were offered afterwards for buyers to top up orders, with 13 of those selling to average $1354.
Q3: What was the top price?
A3: A new stud top-price record of $17,000 was set. The catalogue also ranged down to $1000 for some selection rams, giving options across all budgets.
Q4: What made the sale-topping ram stand out?
A4: The 16.6-micron ram ranked in the top 5 per cent for numerous traits, including a Sustainable Merino index of 173 and a Wool Production Index of 198. It also boasted an exceptional clean fleece weight of 40.4.
Q5: Are the rams mulesed?
A5: The offering was unmulesed and carried some of the highest ASBVs in the country. This reflects more than a decade of focus on early growth, wool production and animal welfare traits.
Q6: Where did buyers come from?
A6: Rams sold from Eyre Peninsula to Kangaroo Island, the Upper South East and western Victoria. Registered bidder numbers rose to 41, including considerable stud interest.
Q7: How did the volume buyers fare?
A7: One operation secured nine rams to $6000 at a $4356 average, while another took eight rams to $6600 at a $4038 average. The top volume buyer selected 13 rams in the main auction and nine more afterwards.
