'From tip to toe': coverage and style push ram prices at Merryville Merino
Repeat buyers defined success at the 26th annual on-property Merino ram sale at Merryville, Boorowa.
Of 123 rams presented, 102 sold at the fall of the hammer to an average $2171 on Friday, September 12.
Merryville 7419, by Giant Test, was the top-selling ram at $5750, sold to Kate and John Bowman, Kangiara, Bowning, through David Zouch, Bigga.
An August/September 2023-drop, Merryville 7419 had a current micron of 18.8 and a standard deviation (SD) of 2.9, with a coefficient variation (CV) of 15.4.
"He's a very special ram, he's got a long staple, beautifully covered with a lovely stylish wool crimped right from tip to toe," Mr Zouch said.
"He should make a very good stud ram."
Merryville 7419 will be used to breed rams at Kangiara, and support the few thousand ewes in a wool production and meat enterprise, classed by Mr Zouch.
"I needed a good quality ram, and he fits the bill very well," he said.
Stud co-principal George Merriman said the sale result was a relief following a challenging winter, with strong support from local buyers at Boorowa, Murringo, Rye Park and Gunning.
"They've all been paddock reared but with supplemented feeding ... we were down on previous years, but it shows that when there's no tyre kickers and solid bidders, you can still have a reasonable outcome," he said.
"There's been pressure on the wool industry from the wool price, but the cost of producing commodities are going up, but they're going up in any commodity, so we're not alone."
The Morse family, Spire View, Coonabarabran, purchased 22 rams to an average of $1056, headed to their 13,000 Merryville ewe operation in the Warrumbungles, purchased by Wal Merriman on behalf of the Morse's.
"They've been a volume buyer for many years now, and we thank them for their support. They've got some hillier country, and the superfine seems to go very well," George Merriman said.
"If people are going to stick with Merino, I hope they get rewarded later on, when supply is a bit tighter and buyers and suppliers work out they need to keep us in the game."
Noel Donges, Young, purchased the second-highest-priced ram, Merryville 7962, for $5500. By Brilliant Example Syndicate, the August/September 2023-drop ram recorded a current micron of 18.0 with a SD of 4.2 and a CV of 13.9.
Tony and Winsome Price, Pyramul, purchased Merryville 7959 and Merryville 7855 for $4750 and $3750. Both by Francesco Ultra Syndicate, the ultrafine rams recorded a current micron of 14.9 and 14.5, with an SD of 2.6 and 2.3, CVs of 14.9 and 14.5, and a matching comfort factor of 99.8.
To the north, the Burey family, Tareela, Guyra, secured Merryville 7932 for $3250, along with Merryville 7667 for $3500.
By Giant Test Supreme and Ringmaster Syndicate, the rams recorded a current micron of 18.4 and 18.0, with a SD of 2.7 and 2.6, and CV of 19.9 and 14.6, both from the August/September 2023-drop.
Southern buyers also capitalised on the offerings, bringing ultrafine bloodlines south to Victoria.
David Daws, Wangaratta, secured three rams at an average $2000, while AWN Horsham purchased nine rams for the Pymer family, Girvan Lea, Wonwondah, averaging $2833.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Elders Stud Stock, with auctioneers Rick Power and Aaron Seaman.
