New sire makes its mark at Gunallo ram sale

Their first progeny of new sire Richmond 128 drew strong bidding at the Gunallo Poll Merino ram sale in Panitya, Vic, on Thursday.

Gunallo stud principal Brad Schroeder said the ram from Richmond stud, NSW, was bought two years ago to "push their fat and eye muscle".

"All his progeny has been very structural, good make and shape - he's done really well for us," he said.

The first at lot 4 made the sale's highest price of $5500, bought by Duane Simon, McPiggery, Lameroo, who bought five rams at the sale averaging $3540.

Mr Simon said they bought a few more rams than normal as McPiggery were focusing on building up their self-replacing Merino flock, and getting out of terminals.

"We have simplified our breeding program over the past 12-18 months," he said.

"The carcase in the Merino has improved so much that our Merino wethers are making just as much as a crossbred lamb, plus we get the wool and skin value on top.

"Surplus ewes will also be at a premium going forward."

The top ram, which he said had "good wool and a huge, deep body", weighed 119 kilograms, was 9.24 yearling weight, 14.14 yearling staple length, 0.66 yearling eye muscle depth and 0.4 yearling fat.

Its 18-micron fleece had 3.3 standard deviation, 18.2 per cent coefficient of variation, and 99.7pc comfort factor.

Overall the Schroeder family sold 85 rams from 120 offered, averaging $1705 - back on 2024 sale.

The eight Richmond 128 rams sold averaged $2375.

Mr Schroeder said the sale did "run out of puff", but was to be expected with the season.

"With clients dispersing mobs of ewes, we knew it was going to be tough," he said.

"A good year to get some good rams at good value."

The sale's second-highest price of $5000 was paid twice, with one ram going to Elk River in a sole purchase, while the Thiel family, Pinnaroo, bought the other, plus another two to average $2666.

The top Thiel ram at lot 1 was 153 on the Sustainable Merino Index, weighing 107kg, with 20.1M fleece, measuring 2.5SD, 12.6CV, 99.9CF, 28.04 yearling clean fleece weight and 10.9YSL.

The sale's biggest volume buyer Lynden Brewis, Blairgowrie Trust, Willaura, Vic, took home 15 rams to $3000, averaging $1306.

Mr Brewis said their purchases were back on last year's 30 because of the season.

"We are probably joining about 1000 ewes less than normal," he said.

"But these rams will go to our top ewes at the start of February, for a July lambing.

"We like Gunallo's quality white wools on an uncomplicated, straight sheep.

"They suit us as we are non-mulesing. We also shear every eight months, so we also chase good staple length and the body to go with it.

"Their fat and eye muscle are improving each year, which is the same direction we are heading."

Other bulk buyers included Modbrim, Vic, with eight rams to $3000, averaging $1450; Longtrail, Parilla, with seven to $2000, averaging $1000; and Nickolls Partners, Pinnaroo, with five to $4000, averaging $1920.

The sale was conducted by PPHS and Nutrien with PPHS' Josh Manser and Nutrien's Gordon Wood sharing the rostrum.

Mr Wood said the front end of the sale was really solid from a wide area and on AuctionsPlus from WA.

"Gunallo is obviously very well recognised and the Schroeders do an amazing job with their sheep," he said.

"We just ran out of buyers towards the end of the sale, with a couple pastoral orders absent due to the season."

The sale was also interfaced with AuctionsPlus, with three rams going to WA, bought by MA&CT Ward, Wyalkatchem, averaging $2066.

Gunallo has nine rams reserved for the Classings Classic sale on Monday, September 1, at the Murray Bridge Racecourse.