Stud Park South's 'exceptional' ram tops Glenelg field day Merino sale

A Stud Park South Merino ram topped the Glenelg Regional Merino Field Day sale at Balmoral on Monday.

The ram, Lot 34, was knocked down to Glenpaen Merino and Poll Merino stud, Brimpaen, for a tidy $8000.

Thornlea Merino stud principal Wayne McCure, Harrow, also acquired a semen share in the ram.

Stud Park South stud principal Pat Millear, Willaura, said the ram was "very complete" with "good bone".

Mr Millear said the sale topper was an "exceptionally well-balanced sheep" with a "really good" fine wool.

The ram had gathered a lot of attention at the recent Sheepvention in Hamilton, and based on this, Mr Millear decided to offer him up at the multi-vendor sale.

The ram was sashed the champion shortwool ram of the day.

The top-priced ram's fleece measured 16.9 micron, with a standard deviation of 2.2, coefficient variation of 13.3 and comfort factor of 99.9per cent.

The May 2024-drop ram was sired by Stud Park South 007.

Will Miller, Glenpaen, said the family hadn't planned to pick up a new ram at the multi-vendor event, but were hugely impressed by Lot 34.

The ram had also caught his attention at Sheepvention.

"We're very happy with the purchase," Mr Miller said.

"He was a very big, upstanding ram."

He said the ram had a "massive" head and its wool test results were "very good".

Mr Miller said the ram would be joined with a mob of the stud's ewes come December.

Overall, the sale saw 76 rams sold from 96 offered for an average of $2246.

Melrose Merino stud principal and field day president Warren Russell, Nurrabiel, said both the average and top price were up on 2024.

Last year, the sale saw 90 of 105 rams sold for an average of $1665 and to a top of $4400.

"It was a very good day considering the season, for sure," Mr Russell said.

He said the sale enjoyed a "reasonable" clearance and said with recent rain, optimism was slowly returning to the industry.

It was the 30th year of the Glenelg event, and Mr Russell said it was one of just three multi-vendor Merino sales left in Victoria.

"The strength of the sale is the studs that are involved," he said.

He said its continued success was down to the people and volunteers involved.

A total of Merino and Poll Merino studs offered up their rams, including:

• Glenpaen Merino and Poll Merino, Blimpaen (sold 4/4 to a top of $4000 and average $3000)
• Wurrook Merino, Rokewood (2/3, top $2500, average $2250)
• Melrose Merino, Nurrabiel (2/5, top $2250, average $2125)
• Rockbank South Merino, Hensley Park (2/2, top $3509, average $2750)
• Glenera North Poll Merino, Bungalally (6/6, top $6500, average $3375)
• Stud Park South Merino, Willaura, (2/4 top, top $8000, average $6250)
• Kurra-Wirra Merino, Culla (5/5, top $4250, average $2550)
• Kevlyn Merino & Poll Merino, Coojar (19/19, top $6500, average $2750)
• Gringegalgona Poll Merion, Vasey (14/20, top $2000, average $1285)
• Gleneden Merino, Douglas (11/14, top $2250, average $1522)
• Mount Yulong Poll Merino, Telangatuk East (6/6, top $3000, average $2000)
• Glendonald Merino, Nhill (0/2)
• Orrie Cowie Merino, Nhill (0/2)
• Kalena Poll Merino, Penshurst (0/4)

Glenera North Poll Merino stud principal Craig Eagle, Bungalally, said he was "very happy" with his total clearance and strong prices.

His $6500 ram, Lot 26, was joint second top-priced of the day.

Mr Eagle also won the best group of sale rams ribbon on the day, and Lot 26 was sashed the reserve champion shortwool ram.

"It's the best result I've ever had at the sale," he said.

He said his six rams mainly went to first-time clients.