Industry turnaround lifts Minta Poll Merino ram sale average past $1950 as top ram hits $8000
Summary
A marked lift in confidence powered the Minta stud's annual Poll Merino ram sale at Mount Cooper, where the average climbed by more than $900 on the previous year to $1957. Of 95 rams offered, 89 found new homes, an extra 19 head compared with 2025. Genetics from an $18,000 sire secured at the 2022 Adelaide Merino ram sale proved a major drawcard, with its 28 sons averaging $2503, more than $500 above the overall sale average. One of those sons topped the sale at $8000, a figure $5000 above the previous year's high, selling to a stud operation at Buckleboo. The 108-kilogram, 18.1-micron ram carried a fleece with a 3.1 standard deviation, 17.1 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor, alongside a 4.7mm fat depth and 38mm eye muscle depth. The same buyer also paid $4000 for a 91-kilogram, 17.9-micron ram with a 2.8 standard deviation, 15.6 per cent coefficient of variation, 99.8 per cent comfort factor, 37.2mm eye muscle depth and 3.5mm fat depth. The vendors reported strong stud interest, with three studs bidding on the sale topper. Agents praised the even, productive, carcase-carrying wool of the paddock-run rams. The volume buyer secured 11 rams at a $1000 average for a station operation, while another buyer took six rams averaging $3133, capping a result the vendors described as a turnaround for the sheep industry.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall sale average | $1,957 |
| Rams sold | 89 of 95 |
| Increase on 2025 average | more than $900 |
| Top price ram | $8,000 |
| Sire progeny average (28 sons) | $2,503 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 18.1 micron |
| Top ram weight | 108kg |
| Second purchase price | $4,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the average at the 2026 Minta ram sale?
The sale averaged $1957 from 89 of 95 rams sold. This was more than $900 up on the previous year, with an extra 19 rams sold.
How much did the top ram make?
The top-priced ram sold for $8000 to a stud buyer. That was $5000 above the previous year's sale high.
Why was the top sire's bloodline in demand?
The sire was secured for $18,000 at the 2022 Adelaide Merino ram sale and had bred on strongly. Its 28 sons in the catalogue averaged $2503, more than $500 above the overall sale average.
What were the measurements on the top ram?
The 108-kilogram ram measured 18.1 micron with a 3.1 standard deviation, 17.1 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor. It also had a 4.7mm fat depth and a 38mm eye muscle depth.
What did the second purchase by the same buyer record?
The 91-kilogram ram measured 17.9 micron with a 2.8 standard deviation, 15.6 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.8 per cent comfort factor. It recorded a 37.2mm eye muscle depth and 3.5mm fat depth.
Who was the volume buyer?
A station operation was the sale's volume buyer, securing 11 rams at a $1000 average. Another buyer took six rams averaging $3133.
What did the result say about the sheep industry?
The vendors described the market as having turned around, with more producers returning to sheep. Strong confidence and multiple studs bidding on the top ram reinforced that view.
