Merryville Merino take title at Armidale Housed Ram Sale.
Merryville Merino have made a $15,000 statement ahead of the 2025 sale year at the 80th Armidale Housed Ram sale on Wednesday. The Southern New South Wales Merino Breeder claimed the top price ram from over 20 participating vendors within the sale.
The sale breakdown consisted of 38 from 54 rams selling to a top of $15,000 for an average of $3611.
Participating merino studs within the sale included Alfoxton, Merryville, Nerstane, Hillcreston, Demondrille, Bocoble, Queenlee, Egelabra, Westvale, Grathlyn, Kurrajong Park, Waverley Downs, Shalimar Park, Arakoon, Airlie, Glenbrook, Stanley Vale, Maisters Swamp, Glenburnie and Hillcreston Park.
Over 48 registered bidders attended the sale, which was held at the Armidale Exhibition Center.
The $15,000 top-priced Merryville ram claimed the Fine Wool Champion from the show, which went on to become the reserve supreme exhibit. Buyers of the ram were Charlie, Andrew and Patrick Davis, from Demondrille Merino, Harden in a semen share partnership with Philip and Jenni Carlon of Queenlee Merino, Walcha.
Mr Downs's flock consists of over 60pc of Merryville genetics and has been a long-term client of the Merriman family.
"Nice bright wool, good underline and was a true sire" said Mr Downs of the ram.
The Supreme Exhibit from the show by Glenburnie, Walcha sold for $7,000 to Tony Hamilton, Twin Rivers.
From the sale, Merryville Merino sold six rams to average $7166, Alfoxton sold one ram for $2000, Nerstane sold two rams for an $3750 average, Hillcreston sold two rams for a $2000 average, Demondille sold two rams for an $2000 average, Bocoble sold one ram for $2000, Queenlee sold one ram for $2500, Egelabra sold all five rams for an $3600 average, Westvale sold one ram for $2000, Grathlyn sold three rams for an $2666 average, Kurrajong Park sold one ram for $3000, Shalimar park sold one ram for $6000, Arakoon sold two rams for an $3375 average, Glenbrook sold one ram for $2000, Airlie sold one ram for $3500, Pomanara sold three rams for an $2083 average, Maisters Swamp sold one ram for $3250, Glenburnie sold one ram for $7000, Hillcreston Park sold all three rams for an $2166 average.
"That ram (top priced ram) will do a wonderful job" said auctioneer Rick Power.
"A true fine wool at 18.2 in the micron with a terrific underline and beautiful belly."
"Just slightly high in the micron for majority of new england studs to operate on that ram, but perfect for a southern stud like Demondrille and Queenlee who like a bit of wool cover on their sheep." he said.
The sale was covered by Nutrien and AWN with Rick Power and Robbie Bloch sharing auctioneering duties.
