An emphasis on figures paid dividends for this even line-up of rams
The number of utes and trailers with crates parked around the ram shed at Ejanding, Dowerin, last week signalled the intentions of many within the large crowd in attendance.
Such is the following that the Jones family has eked out through years of genetic selection and progeny testing benchmarking, buyers have confidence theirs is a product that will breed true and it brought long-time regulars and newcomers alike through the gate in droves.
Touted as one of the most even line-ups the stud has presented, comments from buyers suggested they agreed, particularly with regard to the well-defined, soft white wools and body structure.
From the first call of sale-o from Elders auctioneer Graeme Curry, intention turned to action from the 28 registered buyers and competition was fierce with 155 of the 177 predominantly Poll Merino rams offered finding new homes selling to a top price of $4100 and average of $1926, up $182 on 2024.
Unlike last year when 36 Merino rams were offered, this year there were just eight, interspersed through the catalogue as the stud transitions completely to Poll Merinos, driven by buyer demand and for ease of management.
By comparison, last year 153 rams sold from 174 offered with the top price of $4000 achieved twice, once for a Poll Merino and once for a Merino, at an average of $1744.
Sale Summary
- (Under the hammer results)
- Offered: 177
- Sold: 155
- Top: $4100
- Gross: $298,600
- Average: $1926
Speaking after the sale, Mr Curry said it was an outstanding result.
"Bodies and wools were excellent today and this was reflected in the strong competition from long-time regulars and new buyers, which really only eased towards the end of the catalogue," Mr Curry said.
"Brett and Sharon's emphasis on figures is certainly paying dividends, particularly as generational change takes place in the industry.
"There was plenty of choice and buyers went away with quality teams, seemingly very happy with their purchases.
"And it was pleasing to hear people talking so positively about the sheep industry."
The day's top price of $4100 was bid by first time buyer Andrew Chamberlain, Lara Downs Pty Ltd, Badgingarra, working in consultation with his classer and AWN woolbroker, Rob Climas.
Mr Climas had seen the ram during recent field days and was confident it fitted the bill for the extra wool cut they were chasing to go into a nucleus flock.
"In our country, we have to have bright, white clean wools that can handle moisture, but bulky enough to keep sand out," Mr Chamberlain said.
"This ram was a good all rounder with great structure and bone, bulky wool, an open face and balanced figures."
The June-drop, paddock run ram, a twin by Ejanding Poll - 230085, had MerinoSelect Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) of 30.4 (top 20 per cent) yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW), -2.6 (top 10pc) yearling fibre diameter (YFD), 10.9 (top 20pc) yearling weight (YWT), 0.0 yearling fat (YFAT), -0.1 yearling eye muscle depth (YEMD), 178.2 wool production index (WP) and 140 sustainable Merino index (SM).
Added to this were August test figures of 89 kilograms bodyweight (BW), 19.4 micron, 2.6 standard deviation (SD), 13.3 co-efficient of variation (CV), 99.8 per cent comfort factor (CF) and 77.1 per cent yield, plus June test figures of 3.2mm fat and 32mm eye muscle depth (EMD).
Lara Downs averages 18-18.5 micron for adult sheep and about 16 micron for hoggets.
Mr Chamberlain said they were currently mating about 2200 Merino ewes to Merinos and another 700 older ewes and second draft maidens to Poll Dorsets.
"We keep about 80pc of our ewe lambs with the top 50pc going into the Merino program, the next 30pc to the crossbred program and the remainder sold to market," he said.
Lara Downs, bought a second ram at $1200 later in the catalogue, as a travelling companion for the team leader.
Ejanding's second top price of $3700 appeared twice on the clerking sheets, firstly for a shed-prepared 2-tooth which filled pen one and then at lot 115 for a paddock-run ram with plenty of nourishment showing on its tip.
Jeff Brown, Elders stud stock, did the bidding on lot one, on behalf of one of Ejanding's longest-standing clients IA & CA Kerr, Coorow.
Mr Brown said the June-drop ram had been a standout at the field days with its length of body, length of staple and good figures.
"The Kerr's need good white wool for a coastal block and this ram is well-suited," Mr Brown said.
Standing tall and proud like it owned the place, the ram is a son of Ejanding Poll - 215492, which sold for a stud record $22,000 to Kurra-Willa stud, Curra, Victoria, at Ejanding's 2022 sale and has bred with great consistency at both studs.
Its ASBVs were 25.0 YCFW, -1.3 YFD, 14.7 (top 5pc) YWT, -0.4 YFAT, 1.1 YEMD, 176.6 WP and 153.5 (top 20pc) SM.
Added to this were August test figures of 118kg BW, 19.7 micron, 2.8 SD, 14.4 CV, 99.6pc CF and 70pc yield, plus June test figures of 4.1mm fat and 35mm EMD.
The Kerrs also outlaid $3200 for a second ram.
The other $3700 top price buyer was Shane Edwards, Stockhill Grazing, Quairading, who scrutinised every Poll Merino ram in the catalogue, before settling on the paddock-run Lot 115, also a twin.
Mr Edwards said it marked 50 years since they bought their first Poll Merino ram from Ejanding, on which they founded their Rockridge Poll Merino stud.
"I wagged school and came along with my dad," Mr Edwards said.
"That ram proved very good for us, and I think this one will too.
"He has tremendous bone, good feet and structure, a good sirey head and very even, stylish wool with a noticeable tip."
The ram had ASBVs of 30.1 (top 20 per cent) YCFW, -0.6 YFD, 9.2 YWT, 0.1 YFAT, 1.1 YEMD, 183.8 (top 20pc) WP and 157.6 (top 10pc) SM.
Its August test figures were 79kg BW, 20.4 micron, 3.1 SD, 15.4 CV, 99.4pc CF and 66.1pc yield, plus June test figures of 2.7mm fat and 31mm EMD.
In the volume buyer stakes, HC & GL Ludemann, again topped the list, this year amassing 21 rams, including two at $3000 each, for a solid $1438 average.
From Walebing, the Popplewell family, GKR Farms, also had a busy day, finishing with 16 rams to a $2800 top and $2188 average.
Another long-time supporter, John Metcalf & Son, Dowerin, finished with 15 rams to a top price of $3400 at a $1747 average.
And one of the furthest travelled clients, Ashley Sparkman, Shanandale Pty Ltd, Perenjori, who has been buying at Ejanding since 2008, put together a team of 14 rams to a $3400 top and $2249 average.
Despite having a bit of trepidation leading into the sale, Mr Jones said he was very happy with the day's result.
"It was great to see new buyers here amongst our regular buyers and to see our rams go to properties both locally and around the State.
"Our rams are only June and July drop, but we were pleased with how they came up and how they presented today.
"I sincerely thank everyone, buyers, agents and all who helped make it such a good result," Mr Jones said.
