Carcuma North ram sale result impacted by drought sell-off of ewes
Grant, Carolyn, and Elsie Johnson welcomed repeat and new buyers to their 18th annual Carcuma North Poll Merino on-property sale near Peake last Wednesday, where the 2025 draft of large-framed, dual-purpose rams went under the hammer.
Before bidding began, Grant and Carolyn reflected on the reality of the past two challenging seasons, expressing pride in presenting such a high-quality line despite the extremely trying conditions.
Nutrien auctioneer Richard Miller echoed their sentiments, congratulating the Johnson family on the standard of their rams under severe drought conditions.
The sale opened strongly, with the first ram knocked down to repeat buyers David and Brody Lock, Lock Haven, Mundulla, at $2000 through Nutrien Bordertown.
The Locks quickly followed up with Lot 2, topping the sale at $3800.
With a 19.1 micron fleece, a standard deviation of 3.3 per cent, and a 99pc comfort factor, the ram drew spirited bidding.
In total, Lock Haven purchased three sires at an average of $2333 in their third year buying Carcuma North rams.
David Lock said they had been "more than happy" with the results in their self-replacing Merino flock.
"The sheep have stood up very well over what has been a couple of very tough seasons," he said.
"We went into crisis management - selling off anything that didn't have a lamb and our first-cross wethers in November, a couple of months earlier than usual so we haven't had to fully destock.
"To protect years of breeding and genetics, we bought in supplementary feed, which has now run out.
"The ewes have come through the drought in remarkably good condition, and now that feed is starting to grow, they'll hold until we get a proper bank of feed."
Other volume buyers included GL & FLN Lutz, through Elders Murray Bridge, with three rams averaging $1033; WA & SL Seidel with three rams averaging $800; and Yakkaroo Pastoral Co, which bought three rams at an average of $1600 through Nutrien Cooke Plains.
Overall, 15 of 33 Poll Merinos averaged $1433 and four of seven White Suffolks all sold at $800.
"It was a tough day today," Mr Miller said post-sale.
"The Johnsons presented their rams exceptionally well, as they always do, with a very even line that attracted strong competition at the top end.
"Buyers were happy to pay the money, but we were missing a couple of regular orders where buyers would normally take six to eight rams each - those orders make a big difference to the final result.
"This area has pretty much been decimated in the worst drought in living memory, and many regular Carcuma North clients have had to halve their ewe numbers.
"At this stage, they just don't have the ewes in the paddock to justify buying rams.
"There's optimism, though, with strong sheep and lamb prices, a steadily improving wool market, and growers seeing a path forward - provided of course, that we get good spring rain."
Carolyn Johnson closed the sale by thanking buyers and underbidders for their support.
"It's said you get the best reward from an enterprise if you stay in it and don't chase the highs. We're due for a high," she said.
