Ridgway Advance Poll Merino stud sets new stud-record $3442 average at its Bordertown on-property ram sale
Summary
South Australia's Merino ram selling season reached a new benchmark when the Bordertown-based Ridgway Advance Poll Merino stud posted a record on-property result. Buyers from five states packed the shed, with additional online bidding driving strong competition from the front row through to nearly the final lot. The stud sold 181 of 182 rams for an exceptional $3442 average, easily a stud record and up $728 on the 2025 sale, when 171 of 182 rams cleared. The sale high of $13,000 was paid for Lot 11, a 19.5 micron ram from the May 2025 drop by homebred sire RA0219, ranked in the top 10 per cent of the breed for yearling clean fleece weight ASBV at 34.25, with a 100 per cent comfort factor and 46mm eye muscle depth. The second-top price of $12,000 secured Lot 4, a 19.2 micron ram with a YCFW ASBV of 38, also in the breed's top 10 per cent. Lot 1 sold for $5000 for stud duties to a Victorian buyer. Consistency across the offering allowed five buyers to place double-digit orders, led by 13 rams for Willalooka Pastoral Company at a $2008 average, 12 top-end rams to Warrawee Pastoral at $4375, 12 to Kintra Pastoral at $2483 and 12 to Roby Farms at $2383. The non-mulesed, genomics-tested rams, carrying full ASBVs, drew demand from tropical Queensland to the Mallee and high-rainfall New South Wales and Victoria. Nutrien Bordertown was the sole selling agent.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams sold | 181 of 182 |
| Sale average | $3442 (stud record) |
| Average increase on 2025 | up $728 |
| Top price | $13,000 (Lot 11, 19.5 micron) |
| Second-top price | $12,000 (Lot 4, 19.2 micron) |
| Lot 1 stud price | $5000 |
| Top ram YCFW ASBV | 34.25 (top 10%) |
| Eye muscle depth | 46mm |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the overall clearance and average at the sale?
The stud sold 181 of 182 rams for a $3442 average, a stud record. That average was up $728 on the 2025 sale, when 171 of 182 rams cleared.
What was the top price and what did the top ram offer?
The sale high was $13,000 for Lot 11, a 19.5 micron ram from the May 2025 drop. It sat in the breed's top 10 per cent for yearling clean fleece weight ASBV at 34.25, with a 100 per cent comfort factor and a 46mm eye muscle depth.
How much did the second-highest ram make?
The second-top price of $12,000 was paid for Lot 4, a 19.2 micron ram. It carried a yearling clean fleece weight ASBV of 38, also in the breed's top 10 per cent.
Where did buyers travel from?
Buyers attended from five states in person, with additional online bidding. Demand spanned tropical Queensland to the Mallee and high-rainfall areas of New South Wales and Victoria.
Which buyers placed the largest orders?
Five buyers placed double-digit orders. These included 13 rams for Willalooka Pastoral Company at $2008, 12 to Warrawee Pastoral at $4375, 12 to Kintra Pastoral at $2483 and 12 to Roby Farms at $2383.
What are the key breeding attributes of the rams?
The rams are non-mulesed, carry full ASBVs and are genomics tested. Buyers noted their structure, uniformity and consistent wool and carcase type from front to back of the offering.
What happened with Lot 1?
Lot 1 sold for $5000 for stud duties to a Victorian buyer. It will be used within another breeding program.
Who was the selling agent?
Nutrien Bordertown was the sole selling agent for the on-property sale.
