Strong competition delivers full clearance at Moorundie Park annual sale
Moorundie Park Poll Merino's annual on-property sale at Gulnare drew strong competition, with bidding consistent from the first lot to the last.
The sale achieved a complete clearance, with all 100 Poll Merinos selling to a top of $6250 and averaging $2438.
Lot 7 sold to GMRJ Nominees - Jeffrey and Kay Hampel, Meribah - for $6250.
The 15-month-old ram, sired by the Moorundie Park T syndicate, carried a 20.3 micron fleece, with 3.6 standard deviation, 17.7 coefficient of variation and a 99.5 per cent comfort factor.
It was shorn on April 1, weighed 109 kilograms and recorded a 43.1 millimetre eye muscle depth and 6.8mm fat depth.
The Hampels, who run about 1100 Merino ewes after reducing numbers due to dry conditions, secured five rams in total.
Mr Hampel said Lot 7 would be joined to Merino hoggets.
"We have shifted back to breeding more Merinos to restock as we used to do half crossbred, half Merino," he said.
"We've bought all our rams here the past two years and they're breeding well for us."
Other highlights included lot 3, which sold for $5500 to Bernvale Holdings, Roseworthy.
The June 2024-drop ram, also by the T syndicate, cut 20 micron wool with 3.6SD, 17.9CV and a 99.3pc CF.
It was shorn on April 1, weighed 105kg, with a 41.4mm EMD and 7.3mm fat.
Moorundie Park stud principal Tom Davidson, Gulnare, said he was very pleased with the outcome of the sale.
"We're very grateful for the support of our clients - it was a very positive day," he said.
"Lot 7 was a very complete, gutsy, long-stapled ram with good meat qualities, and we're pleased he's gone to a good home.
"Although we offered fewer rams this year, I think everyone left with what they were after."
Volume support came from DH Turnbull & Co, Cleve, who secured 14 rams to a $2471 average, while Evans Investments, NSW, purchased 12 to a $1200 average, and long-term Victorian clients IS, BA & SJ McVicar, Ouyen, bought eight to a $3250 average.
Mr Davidson said the support of long-term buyers was important for the stud.
"We're lucky to have clients who have been with us for decades, and also to see newer buyers continue to return," he said.
Elders stud stock's Tony Wetherall said the sale result reflected the strength and consistency of the Moorundie Park program.
"There was fantastic support from repeat clients right across the state and into interstate areas, and the sale maintained strong competition from start to finish," he said.
"These are well-grown rams with good carcase qualities, backed by proven genetics over more than 70 years.
"Lot 7 was structurally very sound and a great example of a productive and profitable Merino ram."
Elders conducted the sale with Mr Wetherall the auctioneer.
