Toland records one of its lowest clearance rates in years during tough season

Buyers were selective at Toland Poll Merino stud's annual ram sale at Violet Town on Monday.

Less than half the rams offered sold on the day, in what agents said was a result of the tough season.

Prices at the sale were similar to last year, with two rams selling for the top price of $4500 and the sale averaging $1666.

Selling 25 of the 60 rams offered, the stud's clearance rate of 41.6 per cent was one of its lowest in recent years.

Toland stud co-principal Anna Toland said there was a smaller gallery of buyers, as many of her usual clients had left the farming industry.

"We've had two tough seasons, and we're not alone, so people are choosing where they buy and what they're buying," she said.

"People are still holding on to their rams from last year.

"We've had people tell us that they're getting out of farming altogether and selling their properties, and some farmers we know say they can't find any labour.

"But we can't do anything about that - all we can do is put our rams up and hope for the best."

Ms Toland said she hoped there would be better seasonal conditions next year.

"I think it's what is holding buyers back," she said.

The top-priced rams, Lot 1 and Lot 8, sold to Nutrien agent Jarrod Dimarco on behalf of his clients, St Katherines, Sale, and L & S Kubeil, Tamleugh North.

Lot 1, sired by A190669 and out of 180183, had fleece measurements including 20 micron, 3.0 standard deviation (SD) and 99.8pc comfort factor (CF).

Lot 8, sired by 23154 and out of 220594, had fleece measurements including 20.2 micron, 3.7 SD and 98.8pc CF.

Mr Dimarco bought five rams in total and said he bought Lot 1 due to his high muscle, fat and yearling weight.

Alan Young, Seymour, bought three rams for $1000 each, and EH Farming, Ruffy, bought six rams.

Nutrien auctioneer Peter Godbolt said with buyers being selective, there were not many who were volume buying rams.

Mr Godbolt said most of the rams were sold to repeat buyers from north-east and central Victoria.

"There are clients that have come back because they know the sheep well, and have invested in their genetics," he said.

"Many of my clients had sold their ewes or have retained their rams, so they don't need to buy as many rams.