Ram with wow factor and the numbers to match tops Ridgway Poll Merino sale

Buyers did not miss a gem with wow factor penned at lot 62 in Ridgway's annual ram sale at Kulkami on Monday, the top priced lot in what was a reasonably consistent sale.

As most studs have done this year, Ridgway penned a reduced offering, with 79 of 98 rams selling to a sale high of $5800 for the aforementioned and averaging $1510.

Given the circumstances - 18 months of drought and reduced ewe numbers across much of the state and western Vic - the result still compared well to last year's sale where 88 of 127 rams sold to $9500, averaging $1569.

As was the case last year, the sale topping ram was knocked down to Duane Simon, McPiggery, Lameroo.

Nutrien stud stock manager, and auctioneer, Gordon Wood had simply marked 'wowee' in his notes during his pre-sale inspection.

Sired by Willera 210588, the 111 kilogram ram's placard displayed some impressive arithmetic including being in the top ten per cent of the breed on yearling clean fleece weight (32.1), post weaning weight (10.3) and yearling weight (12.2) on Australian Sheep Breeding Values.

The May 2024-drop also ranked in the top 20pc on yearling staple length (18.9) and Sustainable Merino index (151.5).

It carried a 21.7 micron fleece, with 3.4 standard deviation, 15.5 coefficient of variation and 99.2 per cent comfort factor.

While a regular buyer in McPiggery was successful on the top pick, and another to $2600, some new buyers also featured heavily throughout proceedings.

This included first-time buyer Kruger Nominees, Tailem Bend, who finished the successful bidder on eight occasions, averaging $1375.

Travelling to Kulkami for the second time were NSW buyers Jason and Ruth Vallence, Merran Park, Barham, who were successful on the same number, averaging $1575.

The couple, both wool classers as well as farmers, run a self-replacing Merino flock consisting of 1400 breeding ewes.

They said the four hour trip was worth the effort, rating the defined crimp and heavy cutting wools of Ridgway rams and also assessing them as suitable animals to lead them down the non-mulesed pathway they are currently heading.

They were not the only NSW buyer on the day, with John Lamb Pastoral, Conargo, buying lot 3 at $4500.

That ram also had some eye-catching shading on its placard indicating it was in the top 5pc of the breed on ASBVs for the Sustainable Merino index (167.1), post weaning weight (11.5), yearling weight (14.9) and early breech wrinkle (-1.3).

It also ranked in the top 10pc on yearling diameter coefficient of variation (-2.2) and top 20pc on yearling staple length (18.8).

While some travelled from far, the sale's volume buyer was CM, JP & ND Smith, Alawoona, who finished with ten rams at an average of $1030.

Mount Boothby Pastoral, Tintinara, bought eight rams at an average of $1150, with S&Y Brady, Rhymney, Vic, buying seven to an average of $1371.

KD&G Fagg, through AWN Livestock, bought six at an average of $1233.

Ridgway Poll Merino principal Matt Ridgway was pleased to see some familiar and new faces in the selling pavilion, saying the result was pleasing given the year.

"We knew it was going to be tough selling numbers this year, but we're happy with how the ones that sold, sold, and pretty happy with the clearance too," he said.

"It was good that clients were able to get the rams they wanted at a pretty good price too."

Mr Ridgway said a combination of carcase and wool quality propelled lot 62 to $5800 in his mind.

"He has a really long staple on a bold, crimping wool."

Nutrien's Gordon Wood, who shared the gavel with fellow Nutrien auctioneer Richard Miller, said the volume buying support from some drought-affected areas was surprising and helped the sale to a decent result.

"We've put a few less sheep in the sale as many other studs are this year, but to sell that many rams is a decent result in a trying time," he said.

"There's not a lot of ewes in the system and it's still quite dry in these parts. There was volume buying support out of the Loxton area which is probably doing it as tough as anywhere in the state so it shows they have confidence in where the industry is."

Another slight shift in buying behaviour that Mr Wood was noticing was a bit more emphasis on carcase given the great returns on lamb currently being enjoyed.

"When lambs are making $12 a kilogram dressed weight it's no surprise people are looking to put a bit more shape, and a higher yielding carcase into their lambs," he said.

"There's still a focus on wanting to cut wool but there's a shift towards more carcase for sure."