Full clearance at Outback MPM with increased average and larger draft

A mix of new and return buyers made their mark at the annual Outback Multi-Purpose Merinos sale at The Marra on September 15, with the stud recording a full clearance and increased average.

The stud sold all 210 rams to top at $4750 and average $2457, a jump on the 2024 result which averaged $2300 for 199 rams.

Significant volume buyers were operating and rams also sold interstate.

The top-priced ram, Outback 240359, by GM220844, was born a twin and recorded a fibre diameter of 16.9 micron.

The ram also ranked in the top 20 per cent for early breech cover, the top 10pc for post-weaning weight (PWT), yearling weight (YWT), and yearling fat (YFAT), and the top 5pc for yearling eye muscle depth (YEMD) and yearling staple length (YSL).

Royce and Alan Johnston, Lake Cargelligo, were first-time buyers at the stud. Royce said the ram was well-balanced with good meat and fat.

"He had good eye muscle figures and then a decent wool cut," he said.

"Anything under 19 micron is where we trade so he ticked all those boxes."

The Johnstons also paid $4250 for Outback 240390, also by GM220844.

The ram, 18.1 micron, was also in the top 5pc for YEMD and YSL and top 10pc for YFAT and weaning rate (WR).

They secured a third ram, Outback 240054, for $2500.

The family runs a self-replacing Merino flock with a portion of ewes joined to terminal sires.

"We're aiming to turn wethers off in a reasonable time and a wool cut that will pay its way," Royce said.

"It's been dry - we've fed sheep probably for the last eight or nine months."

Cootamundra brothers Berkeley, Alex and Grahame Hardie, trading as Hardie Pastoral Company, selected 18 rams averaging $3056.

Their top pick was Outback 240458, 18.3 micron. The ram was in the top 10pc for PWT, YWT, and YFAT, along with top 5pc for YEMD, YSL, early-breech cover (EBCOV) and WR.

The brothers also paid $3000 for the charity ram, Outback 240362.

Alex Hardie said they were aiming to keep growth above their ram team's average, and took into account both post-weaning and yearling traits.

They were also after fat and eye muscle, plus staple length to align with six-monthly shearing.

"Then just carcase - how the animal actually stands up," he said.

"We got a lot of the rams that we were after, the ones we really liked."

Wool types and good feet also played a part, he said.

"We are running mainly a crossbred enterprise at the moment but that's going to phase out in time," he said.

"We're going to run a nucleus mob of Merinos to slowly overtake the crossbreds.

"Eventually we'll have half to a Dorset, half to a Merino."

Walcha's Doug Lisle, Lisle Pastoral, also bought 18 rams to average $2875.

Rossmore Ag, Burren Junction, selected 15 averaging $1983.

Will and Ange MacAlpine of WAM Grazing, The Marra, were major volume buyers, taking home 62 rams averaging $2298.

Mr MacAlpine said they were assessing on overall type and structure, but also keeping eye muscle and fat in mind.

Their flock sits between 19 and 19.5 micron and they shear every six months.

"We try and join 5000 ewes... 140pc we've been getting lately at lamb marking," he said.

"We've just finishing building a feedlot - just trying to value add and lock in a bit of security around prices and finishing things."

Interstate purchasers bidding online included Cresswell Trading Pty Ltd, Beazleys Bridge, Vic, who bought three rams averaging $3167, and BJ and DJ Francis, Bangham, SA, who bought six averaging $2792.

Richie Steele, Outback MPM, said it was an overwhelming result.

"I think there was about four new clients - there actually wasn't that many buyers here but they were all buying a lot," he said.

"I think it's the phenotype they seem to chase, nice and open in the points, bare heads, no wool on hocks and sheep that'll do anywhere."

He said there seemed to be plenty of positive sentiment around with many of his clients investing in on-farm infrastructure.

He also noted the $3000 sale of the charity ram, with the proceeds donated to a college mate, Ron Hobden, who had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Nutrien conducted the sale with Brad Wilson and John Settree the auctioneers. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.