Laraben Poll Merino sale tops $12,000 at Botobolar for a $3817 average
Summary
The top-priced ram is heading to stud duties following the Laraben 11th on-property Poll Merino sale at Botobolar, near Mudgee, on Friday, October 16. The sale hit a high of $12,000 while the stud cleared 63 of the 68 rams offered, averaging $3817.
Allendale Merino stud, Gollan, paid the $12,000 top for Laraben 250508, a son of Laraben 240049. The ram weighed 101.5 kilograms and carried an 18.4 micron fleece with a standard deviation of 2.7, a coefficient of variation of 14.6 and a 99.7 per cent comfort factor. His Australian sheep breeding values included +30.34 for yearling clean fleece weight and +28.80 for adult clean fleece weight.
The buyers had used Laraben rams for three years on a different operation, so knew the sheep, and said they liked everything about him. The wool particularly appealed, and his polled status was an asset as they have begun breeding Poll Merinos for their own stud.
Milton Vale, Rockley, paid the second-top price of $11,000 for Laraben 250117, having first seen the ram at the South West Slopes Merino field day at Harden and followed him to the sale.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered, sold | 68 offered, 63 sold |
| Sale average | $3817 |
| Top price | $12,000 |
| Second top price | $11,000 |
| Volume buyer purchase, average | 6 rams to $5000 at $2833 |
| Top ram yearling clean fleece weight | +30.34 |
| Bookham Wether Trial return | $48.33 a head above average |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Laraben Poll Merino sale top at?
The sale hit a high of $12,000 for Laraben 250508. The stud cleared 63 of the 68 rams offered for an average of $3817. It was the stud's 11th on-property sale.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Allendale Merino stud, Gollan, secured him for stud duties. The buyers had used Laraben rams for three years on a different operation, so knew the sheep, and said they liked everything about him. His polled status was an asset as they have begun breeding Poll Merinos for their own stud.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
A son of Laraben 240049, he weighed 101.5 kilograms and carried an 18.4 micron fleece. His standard deviation was 2.7, coefficient of variation 14.6 and comfort factor 99.7 per cent. His breeding values included +30.34 for yearling clean fleece weight and +28.80 for adult clean fleece weight.
What made the second top price?
Milton Vale, Rockley, paid $11,000 for Laraben 250117 in its first purchase from the stud. The buyer first saw the ram at the South West Slopes Merino field day at Harden and followed him to the sale, citing his wool cut and 15.5 micron. The ram will be joined with stud ewes bought from Nerstane Merinos, Walcha.
Who were the volume buyers?
Cooyal Pastoral Co was the volume buyer, taking six rams to $5000 at a $2833 average. Weeroona Pastoral Co, Bribbaree, bought five rams to $7000 at a $5300 average. Other multiple buyers took five rams to $4000 at $3100 and three to $3500 at $2500.
What were the volume buyers chasing?
The selling agent said the volume buyers were chasing wool and frame, and that productivity for both meat and wool was what stood out. The agent who bought for the Bribbaree commercial flock said the rams were chosen for wool quality and size, and that the operation was a return buyer after being very happy with last year's rams.
What is the stud breeding for?
The stud principal said the team was bred for balanced, productive Poll Merinos with quality wool, sound structure, growth and constitution, raised under practical paddock conditions through a very dry November to May. He said the breeding philosophy remains firmly phenotype first, placing the greatest emphasis on the sheep in front of them. Despite the challenging season, he was pleased with how the rams grew and developed.
How did the stud perform in the Bookham Wether Trial?
The Laraben team performed strongly in the recently completed four-year trial, returning $48.33 a head more than the trial average. The selling agent described the sale as very solid, with well-presented sheep that sold accordingly, and support from the local area as well as southern and central New South Wales.
