Lach River pairs Merino and Glenfinnan White Suffolk rams in first double-banner sale, topping at $6500
Summary
The Lach River Merino Stud staged its 11th annual sale near Boorowa, New South Wales, on Thursday, September 10, and for the first time ran two banners side by side after acquiring Glenfinnan Prime Lamb Genetics and offering White Suffolk terminal sires. In the Merino section, 29 of 31 rams sold for an average of $3017 and a top of $6500 for a sire that had earlier claimed the reserve champion sash at a South West Slopes stud Merino field day at Harden. The 128-kilogram sale-high ram tested 16.5 micron with a 2.5 standard deviation, a 16.9 coefficient of variation and a 99.9 per cent comfort factor, and went to a Boorowa stud buyer. The previous year's sale had topped at $9500 and averaged $2625. The biggest Merino volume buyer, from Rye Park, took five rams for an average of $1600. In the Glenfinnan White Suffolk offering, all but one of 108 rams sold for an average of $2108 and a top of $3600, the sale-topper a 111-kilogram, May 2025-drop ram ranked in the top 1 per cent for lean meat yield at +5.8. Terminal sires suited buyers finishing lambs for heavy export specifications. Volume support in the terminal run included seven rams at an average of $2257 to a Yass operation and 12 rams at $1500 to a Warren-based buyer. The dual sale let clients buy wool genetics in the morning and terminal sires the same afternoon. Nutrien and Butt Livestock conducted the sale, interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Lach River Merino rams sold | 29 of 31 |
| Merino top price | $6500 |
| Merino average | $3017 |
| Glenfinnan White Suffolk rams sold | 107 of 108 |
| Glenfinnan top price | $3600 |
| Glenfinnan average | $2108 |
| Sale-high Merino ram fibre | 16.5 micron |
| Sale-high Merino ram weight | 128 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the Lach River Merino sale results?
Of 31 Merino rams offered, 29 sold for an average of $3017 and a top of $6500. The previous year's sale had topped at $9500 and averaged $2625.
What was notable about the top Merino ram?
The $6500 sale-topper had earlier won the reserve champion sash at a South West Slopes stud Merino field day at Harden. The 128-kilogram ram tested 16.5 micron with a 2.5 standard deviation and a 99.9 per cent comfort factor.
Why did the stud offer White Suffolks for the first time?
The stud took ownership of Glenfinnan Prime Lamb Genetics, allowing it to run two banners side by side. Clients could buy wool genetics in the morning and terminal sires the same afternoon.
How did the Glenfinnan White Suffolk offering sell?
All but one of the 108 rams sold for an average of $2108 and a top of $3600. The top ram was a 111-kilogram, May 2025-drop sire.
What were the top White Suffolk's figures?
The top-priced White Suffolk ranked in the top 1 per cent for lean meat yield at +5.8. It was also in the top 20 per cent for weaning weight at +11.8 and terminal carcase production at +158.
Who were the volume buyers?
In the Merino run, a Rye Park buyer took five rams at an average of $1600. In the terminal run, a Yass operation bought seven rams averaging $2257, and a Warren-based buyer took 12 rams at $1500.
What are the terminal sires used for?
Buyers sought terminal sires with moderate birth weight, growth and eye muscle to join over Merino ewes. The resulting lambs are finished for heavy export specifications, with some targeting carcase weights of 26 to 27 kilograms.
How did this year compare with last year's Glenfinnan sale?
This year's Glenfinnan offering averaged $2108 with a top of $3600. Under the previous ownership last year, the sale averaged $2080 with a top of $3800.
