Western Australian buyers travel more than 3000km to claim the $15,000 top ram at the Ridgway Poll Merino sale
Summary
Western Australian buyers travelled more than 3000 kilometres to secure the top-priced ram at the Ridgway Poll Merino sale at Kulkami, first attending after meeting the stud team at a major sheep and wool show. Offered as Lot 19, the April 2025-drop ram weighed 107 kilograms and was knocked down at $15,000, with a Lameroo piggery business the underbidder. The sire measured in the top 5 per cent of the breed for yearling clean fleece weight, post weaning weight and yearling weight, and carried a Sustainable Merino Index of 172.1. Its fleece tested at 18.5 micron with a 2.8 standard deviation, 15.2 coefficient of variation and 99.8 per cent comfort factor. The Western Australian buyers will use the sire in their own stud, while the underbidding business still took two rams at a $3750 average. Overall, 98 of 100 rams sold for a $2305 average, a substantial $795 lift on the 2025 auction. The volume buyer secured 10 rams at a $2260 average, chasing plain-bodied, heavy wool-cutting sheep, while a return New South Wales client bought eight rams averaging $2100. Two studs paid the joint second-highest price of $7000, and another buyer took three rams for a stud at a $2733 average. The sale attracted bidding from four states, including New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, reflecting strong interest in early growing sheep with good wool cuts and positive carcase traits. Rams remain available by private selection, and eight sires will head to the Classings Classic at Murray Bridge on September 7.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price ram | $15,000 |
| Rams sold | 98 of 100 |
| Average price | $2305 |
| Increase on 2025 average | $795 |
| Top ram weight | 107 kg |
| Top ram Sustainable Merino Index | 172.1 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 18.5 micron |
| Distance travelled by top buyer | more than 3000 km |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who bought the top-priced ram and for how much?
Western Australian buyers, attending for the first time, secured the top ram at $15,000. They travelled more than 3000 kilometres and will use the sire in their own stud.
What were the top ram's key details?
Offered as Lot 19, the April 2025-drop ram weighed 107 kilograms. It measured in the top 5 per cent of the breed for yearling clean fleece weight, post weaning weight and yearling weight, with a Sustainable Merino Index of 172.1.
What were the top ram's wool measurements?
The fleece tested at 18.5 micron with a 2.8 standard deviation, 15.2 coefficient of variation and 99.8 per cent comfort factor. These figures reflected the fine, high-quality wool the buyers were seeking.
What was the overall clearance and average?
A total of 98 of 100 rams sold for a $2305 average. That average was a substantial $795 higher than the 2025 auction.
Who was the volume buyer?
The volume buyer secured 10 rams at a $2260 average. They were after plain-bodied sheep that were heavy wool cutters, and it was their second year buying at the sale.
How wide was the buying interest?
The sale attracted bidding from four states: New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. A return New South Wales client bought eight rams averaging $2100.
What was the joint second-highest price?
Two studs each paid $7000, the joint second-highest price of the sale. Another buyer took three rams for a stud at a $2733 average.
Are more rams available?
Rams remain available by private selection. In addition, eight sires will head to the Classings Classic at Murray Bridge on September 7.
