Koonwarra Merino ram sale tops $6500 three times at Boorowa for $3157 average
Summary
The Koonwarra Merino and Poll Merino 49th annual unhoused ram sale at Boorowa on Wednesday, September 23, sold 91 of the 110 rams offered for an average of $3157, with three rams sharing the $6500 top price. More rams sold shortly after the auction concluded.
Two of the $6500 rams were sons of Merrignee 21-087, a sire brought across from the stud's sister operation through artificial insemination, which was sashed supreme exhibit at the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show in 2024 and grand champion fine wool Merino ram at the Sydney Royal Easter Show the same year. The first, Koonwarra 25089 in lot 11, was a 103-kilogram May and June 2025-drop twin measuring 18.9 micron with a 3.0 standard deviation, a 15.8 coefficient of variation, a 99.5 per cent comfort factor and a 146.9 per cent greasy fleece weight. It recorded a Fibre Production index of 114, a Merino Production index of 121 and a Dual-Purpose index of 117, and went to Bidgee Creek Pastoral Company, Goulburn.
The second, Koonwarra 12133 at lot 12, was a 114-kilogram twin at 17.9 micron. The third $6500 ram was a Poll Merino, Koonwarra 25077, a 103.5-kilogram twin at 19.2 micron sired by Claypans 323.
Murra Pastoral Co, Milvale, took 10 rams to a top of $6000 for a $4000 average, and Finemore Pastoral, Frogmore, also took 10 to $6000 at $3200. Nutrien and Elders conducted the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered | 110 |
| Rams sold during the auction | 91 |
| Average price | $3157 |
|
Top price, shared by three rams |
$6500 |
| Sale staged | 49th annual unhoused ram sale |
|
Greasy fleece weight of Koonwarra 25089 |
146.9 per cent |
| Weight of Koonwarra 12133 | 114 kg |
|
Largest drafts taken |
10 rams each at $4000 and $3200 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Koonwarra Merino ram sale top at?
Three rams shared the $6500 top price. Two were sons of the artificial insemination sire Merrignee 21-087 and the third was a Poll Merino sired by Claypans 323. The overall average was $3157.
How many rams sold?
During the auction 91 of the 110 rams offered sold. More rams sold shortly after the sale concluded.
Which sire produced two of the top-priced rams?
Two of the $6500 rams were sons of Merrignee 21-087, brought into the stud's artificial insemination program from its sister operation. That sire was sashed supreme exhibit at the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show in 2024 and grand champion fine wool Merino ram at the Sydney Royal Easter Show the same year. The stud has kept three of his sons as junior stud sires.
What figures did the first $6500 ram record?
Koonwarra 25089 was a 103-kilogram May and June 2025-drop twin measuring 18.9 micron with a 3.0 standard deviation, a 15.8 coefficient of variation and a 99.5 per cent comfort factor. Its greasy fleece weight was 146.9 per cent. It recorded a Fibre Production index of 114, a Merino Production index of 121 and a Dual-Purpose index of 117.
What were the other two top-priced rams?
Koonwarra 12133 at lot 12 was a 114-kilogram twin with a 17.9-micron fleece, a 2.8 standard deviation and a 123 per cent greasy fleece weight. The third was a Poll Merino, Koonwarra 25077, a 103.5-kilogram twin at 19.2 micron sired by Claypans 323.
Who were the volume buyers?
Murra Pastoral Co, Milvale, took 10 rams bidding to $6000 for a $4000 average. Finemore Pastoral, Frogmore, also took 10 rams to a top of $6000 at a $3200 average. Leswell Pastoral, Bowning, selected eight rams to $5500 averaging $3688.
Why was the older sire reintroduced?
Claypans 323 had been an influential ram within the stud while its Poll Merino line was being developed. The stud decided the time was right to bring his genetics back into use. The Poll Merino he sired shared the $6500 top price.
Who conducted the sale?
Nutrien and Elders conducted the sale. It was the stud's 49th annual unhoused ram sale, held at Boorowa.
