Pastoral clients ensure average lift at strong Nyowee Poll Merino sale
A red hot first half, and latter half held up by large pastoral orders, ensured a well-rounded successful ram sale for Nyowee Poll Merino near Balaklava yesterday.
Having celebrated their 25th on-property ram sale last year, it was another significant occasion for the Michael family, marking 70 years since Barrie first registered the stud.
His grandson Jake said his grandfather still came out to the farm every day to work even at the ripe age of 90, while his son Ian gave him a special acknowledgment before proceedings kicked off.
Local and northern clients, as well as Vic and NSW buyers, actually bolstered the sale to the point where it was $242 up on last year's average.
In the final wash up, a full clearance of 140 rams was achieved to a top of $6750 and average of $1949.
In 2024, there was a full clearance of 150 rams for a $1707 average.
Volume buyers this year included Wilandra Station, NSW, with 20 heading their way at an average of $1070.
Heading north will be 14 rams to LN&SM Bury, Quorn, to an average of $1553, while Fels Grazing, Hawker, secured 14, averaging $1107.
After buying 30 rams last year, Floods Creek, via Broken Hill, NSW, secured another 11 this year all at $1000, while John Gall & Co, Langawirra Station, via Broken Hill, bought ten rams, averaging $1250.
There was stud interest early, including from Everton Park Poll Merino Stud, Everton, Vic, but it was commercial graziers who battled it out on that sale's high point at lot 20, which made $6750.
This went to Andrew, Jackie and Ryan Bruce, Bruce Farming, Riverton, who were successful on three rams in total, averaging $5266.
The Bruce's run a cropping enterprise and self-replacing Merino flock and have been buying at Nyowee for about 25 years.
As well as the wool clip, the surplus Merino lambs are sold over the hooks at eight to nine months old.
Commenting on lot 20, Mr Bruce said it was "a deep-bodied sheep", with good nourishment.
"It had all the traits of a good ram - big and bold with a deep body," he said.
Weighing in at 101 kilograms, their 16-month-old purchase carried a 19 micron fleece, with 2.5 standard deviation, 13.3 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor.
It also had a 42 millimetre eye muscle depth and 4.9mm fat depth.
It was by no means the largest sheep penned, with front row rams weighing 125-143kg consistently making above $4000 in the early going.
Another protracted bidding contest came at lot 27, with PS&JH Meyer, Mulloorie, Brinkworth, successful with a $6500 bid.
The 16-month-old ram weighed 100kg and carried 20.9 micron fleece, with 2.9SD, 14CV and 99.6pc CF.
Other strong buyers throughout the sale included Warooka Pastoral Co, Melville Forest, Vic, who were successful on seven rams, averaging $2514.
Nalya Farms bought six at an average of $2400, while six buyers all had five on their bid card.
They were Kessell Family Trust, averaging $3240; DM Scott & Co, Burra, averaging $4000; WN&SL Baum, averaging $1400; AJ&NJ Michael, averaging $2190; and JR Dickinson & Sons, Nhill, Vic, averaging $2410.
At the conclusion of the sale, Jake Michael was pleased with how the sale had unfolded, saying a lot of time had been spent in presenting them in good nick.
"They sold pretty well, everyone got their rams, and hopefully it keeps raining," he said.
He said they were considering collecting more data for buyers who were chasing that, but were generally chasing wool coverage, with good bodyweight.
Reflecting on it being 70 years since his grandfather first registered the stud, Jake considered himself lucky to be continuing on the tradition.
"I'm pretty lucky to be with my grandfather every day and I know what he's done to get us to the spot where we are now."
Elders conducted the sale, with Tony Wetherall and Conor Lamond sharing the auctioneering duties.
