Merrignee Merino ram sale tops $10,000 at Boorowa for a $2750 average
Summary
A strong local presence and loyal repeat buyers made the most of positive seasonal and market conditions at the 36th annual Merrignee unhoused Merino and Poll Merino ram sale at Boorowa on Friday, October 9. Rams sold across the district and further south into Victoria, with buyers from Boorowa, Yass, Rye Park and Woodstock supporting the offering.
At auction, 74 of the 90 rams on offer sold to a top of $10,000 for an average of $2750. Most of the passed-in lots sold shortly after the sale concluded.
The top-priced ram, Merrignee 24221, went to Willow View Partnership, Yass, at a figure that eclipsed the stud's tops of recent years. The polled two-year-old recorded a fibre diameter of 17.6 micron with a 2.5 standard deviation, a 13.3 per cent coefficient of variation and a 99.9 per cent comfort factor. An artificially inseminated son of Merrignee CH 19-204, he also returned a greasy fleece weight of 115 per cent at March shearing. The buyers cited his wool, neck and cover for a traditional wool sheep, and will join him across about 3000 Merino ewes next autumn.
The second top-priced ram, Merrignee 24230, sold for $8500 to a Stockinbingal buyer. By Merrignee NP 22189, the polled two-year-old twin recorded 16.8 micron, a 2.7 standard deviation, a 12.7 coefficient of variation and a 99.9 per cent comfort factor, with a greasy fleece weight of 127 per cent.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered, sold | 90 offered, 74 sold |
| Top price | $10,000 |
| Sale average | $2750 |
| Second top price | $8500 |
| Volume buyer purchase, average | 12 rams at $2937 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 17.6 micron |
| Top ram greasy fleece weight | 115 per cent |
| Sale edition | 36th annual |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Merrignee ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $10,000 for Merrignee 24221. That figure eclipsed the stud's top prices of recent years. The sale averaged $2750.
How many rams sold?
Of the 90 Merino and Poll Merino rams offered, 74 sold at auction. Most of the passed-in lots sold shortly after the auction concluded.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
The polled two-year-old recorded a fibre diameter of 17.6 micron, a 2.5 standard deviation, a 13.3 per cent coefficient of variation and a 99.9 per cent comfort factor. He also returned a greasy fleece weight of 115 per cent at March shearing. He is an artificially inseminated son of Merrignee CH 19-204.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Willow View Partnership, Yass, secured him. The buyers pointed to his wool and the amount of neck on him, a trait they said was hard to find, along with good cover for a traditional wool sheep. He will be joined across about 3000 Merino ewes next autumn.
What made the second top price?
Merrignee 24230 sold for $8500 to a Stockinbingal buyer. By Merrignee NP 22189, the polled two-year-old twin recorded 16.8 micron, a 2.7 standard deviation and a 12.7 coefficient of variation with a 99.9 per cent comfort factor. His greasy fleece weight was 127 per cent.
Who was the volume buyer?
Hopefield, Boorowa, secured 12 rams at a $2937 average, having bought from the stud for more than three decades for its traditional-type wool. The buyers took six of their number one picks from the first 12 lots. Their rams are joined to about 2500 ewes and used twice a year, for autumn and spring lambs.
Where else did rams sell?
Lone Star Partnership, Hamilton, Victoria, bought Merrignee 25044 for $2000, and a Lewis Ponds buyer took Merrignee 25052 for $6500. Queenlee Merino, Salisbury Plains, secured Merrignee 25180 and Merrignee 25075 for $3500 and $3000 respectively.
What is coming through the stud for next year?
Progeny of Sydney Royal supreme champion Merrignee 21539 is beginning to make its mark in the flock. Only one of his sons was catalogued this year, but the stud reports many clients intend to use semen out of him. The sale was facilitated by Elders Stud Stock and Nutrien Ag Solutions.
