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Sheep lovers flock to Burra for Elders SA Stud Merino Expo | Photos
Year 8 Clare Saint JosephÔÇÖs school students Macca Smith, Mintaro, Eddie Davidson, Gulnare, Lucas Ackland, Clare. Picture by Kiara StaceyCollinsville's Jade and Will, 9, Dalla, Hallett, enjoyed a day out. Picture by Kiara StaceyLachie and Robert Sullivan from Greenfields Merino and Poll Merino stud, Booborowie, with Tumby Bay visitor Brody Stratford. Greenfields will hold its on-property ram sale in conjunction with Greenfields Karalee on Monday, September 8, with 160 rams offered in total.Some Greenfields clip on display.New owners of Roehmakita Poll Merino stud Aaron and Xavier Watson are looking forward to their first sale near Cummins on Tuesday, July 29 where they will offer 110 rams, including sons of Pyramid Poll 220220 which they bought two years ago from a WA stud for $20,000.Roemahkita rams.Richard Evans, Angaston, was having a look with Rob Humphris and Rob Weaver, both of Kapunda. Picture by Kiara StaceyVisiting the Collinsville display and stud manager Tim Dalla (right) were NSW stud breeders Amy LÔÇÖEstrange and Brendan OÔÇÖDwyer, Bellswick, Condobolin. Collinsville, in conjunction with East Bungaree, will be offering 600 Merino and Poll Merino rams in its on-property sale near Hallett on Tuesday, September 16.Collinsville had success in the co.mpetition aspect of the expoSpringvale North Poll Merino principal Peter Stockman had had a busy morning at Burra, selling ten rams up to $3000 in the early going. The stud will be offering 100 paddock run rams at its Burra on-property auction on Friday, September 12.Rams reserved for Springvale North's on-property auction.While they do an on-property display each year, it was the first time in about 15 years the Glenowie Poll Merino display had exhibited at the Burra Oval. Having a look over the Glenowie rams with Angus, Hugo and Brooke Stockman were Elders Mount GambierÔÇÖs Robin Farrell (left) and Elders Murray BridgeÔÇÖs Trevor Smith (right). Glenowie will have about 400 rams up for private sale this year.Glenowie sell rams privately each year.Glenville Merino and Poll Merino's Daryl and Klay Smith made the trip over from Cowell to showcase rams at Burra. The stud will be offering 180 paddock run rams at is annual on-property auction on Tuesday, August 5.Previous sale photos and reports were on display from Glenville.Kevin and Denni Crook, Tamaleuca Stud, Ouyen, Vic, were having a look to see whatÔÇÖs around. Picture by Kiara StaceyMulloorie Merino and Poll Merino made an early sale at the expo, selling this 16-month-old, 20.4 micron fleece carrying ram to Con and Ann Lavington, Orroroo, for $4000.Mr Lavington said he had been buying from Mulloorie for 12 years, with the slightly greasy tip on their wools keeping the dust out at Orroroo. The Lavingtons are pictured with Paul (left) and Darcy (right) Meyer. Mulloorie will hold its Tintinara ram sale on July 31 and Brinkworth ram sale on September 15.Mulloorie had a very successful showing season in 2024.North Ashrose stud principal Tom Ashby with workers Ashley Dunsford and Felicity Brumpton. The Gulnar-based stud will be holding its annual on-property sale on September 10, offering 160 Merinos and Poll Merino rams.Some North Ashrose stud reserve ram lambs were on display.Allala Poll Merino stud principal Vinnie Phelps, Kapinnie. Picture by Kiara StaceyAllala Poll Merino will have its on-property ram sale on July 25 at 1PM. Picture by Kiara StaceySharlu Park worker Nelson Lewis and stud principal Andrew Saegenschnitter, Frankton. Picture by Kiara StaceySharlu Park will hold its annual on-property ram sale at Frankton on August 27 at 1:30PM with inspections from 11am. Picture by Kiara StaceyGum Hill stud principals Daphne and Glan Lines, Mount Bryan, were having a look. Picture by Kiara StaceyCollandra Merino stud principals Stephen and Trish with daughters Jessica and Emily Lawrie, Tumby Bay. Picture by Kiara StaceyCollandra Merinos will host its 46th annual on-property ram sale on September 9 at 1:30PM. Picture by Kiara StaceyMorley Stud stud principal Leonie Mills, Cleve. Picture by Kiara StaceyMorley Stud will hold its on-property ram sale on August 22 at 2PM with inspections from 11AM. Picture by Kiara StaceyAWN wool and sheep specialist Tom Simmons, Meningie and Jared Phillips, Crystal Brook, caught up with Peter Eckermann, Waterloo, and his daughter Megan. Picture by Kiara StaceyWyara Poll Merinos stud principal Gerald and Jodie Mullighan, Andrews. Picture by Kiara StaceyWyara Poll Merinos has 25 rams available for private selection. Picture by Kiara StaceyAllen Kleinig, Eudunda, retired farmer was enjoying the day out. Picture by Kiara StaceyThe Vandeleur family of Kym, Kieran, Jack and Jim from Rices Creek stud will offer 120 rams at Tintinara on August 7 and 220 rams at Saddleworth on August 26. Both sales are at 1pm. Picture by Kiara StaceyRices Creek will offer 120 rams at Tintinara on August 7 and 220 rams at Saddleworth on August 26 both at 1PM. Picture by Kiara StaceyMoorundie Park stud principal Tom Davidson, Gulnare. Picture by Kiara StaceyMoorundie Park will host its annual on-property ram sale on September 12 at 1PM. Picture by Kiara StaceySpringvale North's Peter and Helen Stockman, Burra. Picture by Kiara Stacey
Sheep enthusiasts from SA and interstate gathered in Burra for the annual Elders SA Stud Merino Expo, held over two days.
Wednesday featured on-property exhibits from 10 participating studs, followed by the Woolgrowers' Dinner & Fashion Parade.
Today, 15 studs showcased their displays and assisted with enquiries ahead of their upcoming ram sales later in the year.
As the first event on the Merino calendar, the expo also included awards for a pen of three ram lambs, champion SA ram, and champion SA pair - highlighting top contenders for the showing season.
Elders SA Merino stud expo president George Millington said it had been an extremely challenging season in SA and two of Collinsville's three properties in the Mid North had experienced the lowest annual rainfall since records began.
"There's a lot of people basically south of Goyders Line all across SA and Western Vic in that position," he said.
"So it was really heartening to see that we still actually had studs that came, given those trying conditions, and commercial producers that came and has a look, and also some interstate visitors."
Despite the trying conditions, Mr Millington said there was some reasons for optimism when it came to the wool and sheepmeat job.
"If you look at the wools that sheep bred in the Mid North are growing, which is that 19 to 20.5 micron, the price for those wools in particular is back to where it was some three and a half to maybe four years ago," he said.
"And that results in a ewe and a commercial flock environment cutting about $65 per head."
With mutton back to $4 a kilogram and lambs back to $8/kg, he said running a self-replacing Merino operation was a profitable pursuit.
"Especially when you can stack that up with people in grain-growing areas in SA, unfortunately, in some really reliable areas that weren't even able to reap enough to get their seed back," he said.
"The ones that were running Merinos in conjunction with that as a risk management tool, we're able to achieve some cash flow and get them through.
"I think it's recognition that our type of sheep, the plainer, larger-bodied, easy care, good fleece weight, are a sheep for the modern age and a good dual purpose income."
Trade displays included Elders, AWI Extension, Merino SA, PIRSA, Mobishear, Anlaby, Commander Ag, MFT Rural, Heiniger, Elanco, Shearwell, Allflex, Coopers Animal Health, KK Livestock, Clare Valley Toyota, Breed Elite, Mid North Motor Co, Ultratilt Livestock, Steinborner Automotive and Cousins Merino Services.
Stock Journal'sKiara Stacey and Quinton McCallum were at the event and took these photos.
