Top Pindari Poll Merino ram stays local, as repeat clients dominate bidding
The top price Poll Merino at the Pindari ram sale in Waterloo on Tuesday didn't have far to travel.
Andrew Schutz, Riversource Farm Trust, Waterloo, who is achieving exceptional growth in his wether lambs and ewe hoggets, plus great lambing percentages, bought the paddock-run ram in lot 5 for $3000, along with a half brother at $2000 in lot 8.
Lot 5 was a late-August-drop ram weighing 82 kilograms, with an eye muscle depth of 37 millimetres and fat depth of 6mm, plus its 19.2-micron fleece had 14.7 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.7pc comfort factor.
Overall, the Schwartz family, Waterloo, sold 21 Poll Merinos from 28 offered, averaging $1552 - a good increase on the 2024 sale, but less offered, while seven of eight Dohne rams sold to $1000, av $857.
"We were pleased to see the increase in average, but there were less offered as many clients ahd reduced ewe numbers and some were not operating this year," Pindari stud principal Robin Schwartz said.
Repeat clients were strong on the rails, with Andrew Baxter, Manoora, buying two Poll Merino rams at $2000 each; Andrew Bastian, Booleroo Centre, bought four averaging $1650; Mark Neumann, Marrabel, bought three averaging $1600; and Dave Baumgurtel, Bow Hill, bought four averaging $1150.
In the Dohnes, the $1000 top price was paid twice, with both Mt Alma-bloods going to Paul Webb, Cowell, who first bought at Pindari last year.
The Klem family, Saddleworth, also went home with three Dohnes.
Nutrien Burra conducted the sale, with agent Josh Nourse saying buyers were chasing Pindari's "modern-style sheep with real sweet, white wools", with most sales going locally, some further north and across to the EP.
"The rams presented really well considering some were late-August-drops," he said.
"The Schwartz family have really invested in some modern genetics these past few years and that progeny is starting to shine through and look really good."
