Dunbogan draws strong commercial and stud interest for size and wool quality

Buyers sought large-framed rams with heavy wool cut at the Dunbogan Merino and Poll Merino ram sale, held at Dunbogan, near Elong Elong, on September 30.

All up, 83 of 90 rams sold to $4500 to average $2545, up $450 on last year.

Immediately after the sale, two stud rams were sold, alongside 46 grade rams at $1500 each.

In the breakdown, all 50 Poll Merino rams hit $4500 to average $2775, while 33 of 40 Merino rams made $4000 to average $2200.

Warren and Justine Croake, Winooka, Coolah, paid $4500 for the top-priced ram, Dunbogan-240044.

Son of Dunbogan-220450, the 113.5 kilogram ram ranked in the top five per cent of the breed at +11.18 post weaning weight, and the top 10pc at +12.87 yearling weight.

He recorded a fibre diameter of 17.7 micron, 2.7 micron standard deviation, 15.3pc coefficient of variation and 99.7pc comfort factor.

The Croakes also purchased Dunbogan-242512 and Dunbogan-240073 for $3500 and $3000, respectively.

Large-framed, plainer-type rams with sound structure topped the list for Mr Croake, who runs about 1700 Merino ewes on the Liverpool Plains.

With higher rainfall and cooler temperatures in the region, he also prioritised freer and more waterproof wool.

He joins about 30pc of his 18.5-micron flock to Suffolks, with the balance going back to Merinos.

Wether lambs are turned off at around 40kg as quickly as possible.

The sale of Dunbogan-242559 to Tony and Penny Inder, Allendale, Wellington, for $4000 marked the first stud purchase from the Roberts family.

Sired by a Merino stud syndicate of RP190004, Dunbogan-232421 and Dunbogan-221379, the 19.3 micron ram had 2.6 micron SD, 13.5pc CV and 99.6pc CF.

He also ranked in the top 20pc for +30.78 yearling clean fleece weight, and +23.55 adult clean fleece weight.

Matt and Melinda Suttor, Triamble, Mudgee, purchased six Poll Merinos to $4000, to average $3166.

Their top ram, Dunbogan-240125, had 18.6 micron, 2.7 micron SD, 14.4pc CV and 99.6pc CF.

An AI son of PB220173 and out of Dunbogan-200650, the 109kg ram ranked in the top 20pc for -2.03 yearling fibre diameter.

Mr Suttor sought larger-framed, plainer-type rams with a heavy wool cut.

In making his selections, he first considered micron, followed by shape, size, structure, and straight top lines.

The fifth-generation farmer runs a 5500-head flock averaging 17.2 microns.

Of these, 429 first-cross ewes and 677 Merinos are joined to White Suffolks.

Exclusively using Dunbogan genetics, he said the combination of strong wool cuts and high-quality lambs keeps him coming back year after year.

Volume buyer George Caton, Yarrawonga, Carinya, bought 14 rams to $2750 to average $2017.

Dunbogan Merino and Poll Merino stud principal Nigel Roberts, Elong Elong, was pleased with the sale result.

"We're finally at the peak of the mountain, and 12 months ago I didn't think we'd be here, with lamb at 1200c/kg, mutton at 750c/kg and wool above 1500c/kg," he said.

"Let's hope the season holds and we can enjoy a good run for a couple of years."

Nutrien Mudgee conducted the sale with John Settree as auctioneer.