Rams with early growth and quality fleece traits sought out at Richmond Merinos
Rams with higher post-weaning and yearling weights were met by good competition at Trevor and Sarah Ryan's Richmond Merino ram sale, held on-property near Quandialla on Tuesday, September 30.
Buyers from Victoria, throughout NSW and South Australia were active in the sale.
Tim Mulholland, Mulholland Poll Merinos, Noorong, near Moulamein, secured the top-priced ram Richmond 240011 for $7000.
Sired by Hill Padua 210273, the homozygous polled, August-drop ram measured a fibre diameter of 18.2-micron, with a standard deviation of 2.6-micron and a comfort factor of 99.5 per cent.
He recorded MerinoSelect figures of +2.51 for yearling fat (YFAT), in the top 5pc, along with his yearling staple length (YSL) of +23.56.
He continued the high ranking data in his carcase traits with a yearling eye muscle depth (YEMD) in the top 10pc with a figure of +2.91, while also being in the top 30pc for his post-weaning weight (PWT) and yearling weight (YWT) values of +7.91 and +10.10, respectively.
Mr Mulholland said the ram was a good combination of phenotype and data, with a good barrel, while his sire was a trait leader in fleece colour and intramuscular fat.
"We like that ram because he was a slightly lower frame score, his condition score up in the top indexes, so that, coupled with the genetic fat, is what suits us," he said.
"We're going for that early puberty, early growth with good fleece colour."
He said the operation focuses heavily on 1100 joining ewe lambs, alongside 2000 mature ewes across their 1101-hectare operation near Moulamein, in conjunction with their 607ha South Australian-based property near Willalooka, with any ewes that return empty at pregnancy scanning being sold.
Mr Mulholland said while joining ewe lambs was a priority, the family operation also focuses on IMF, as well as structural soundness, a moderate frame score and an early maturity pattern.
Several volume buyers stepped into the market, with Michael Hunter, Westwood, Bribbaree, securing nine rams for a top of $4000 to average $2277, while Kitto Pastroal Company, Tandra, Tallimba, took home 12 rams for a top of $4000 to average $2208.
Geeron Partnership, Warroo, also took home 13 rams for an average of $1846.
A total of 12 rams were knocked down to return buyers D and M Kingwill, Adjungbilly, for a top of $3000 to average $2416.
Margaret Kingwill said the family operation had been buying from the stud for the past 10 years, with their main flock of 2500 Merino ewes being joined back to Merino sires, while the remainder are joined to Poll Dorset rams.
On behalf of the Kingwills, Tim McMeekin, Elders Wagga Wagga, said the family were after white crimpy wools which were able to handle the higher rainfall in the area.
"We're looking for carcase as well, with good eye muscle and fats," he said.
Overall, 96 of the 109 rams sold to a top of $7000, for an average of $2385.
Richmond Merino stud co-principal Trevor Ryan said he was happy with the results, with a mix of repeat and new buyers throughout the sale.
"We thought it was a very even draft, as usual, we try and concentrate on quality wools and skins, while building carcase traits at the same time," he said.
"I think people this year seemed to be chasing early growth in their sheep, which is reflected in what has been happening in the lamb industry, with big post-weaning weight and yearling weaning weight figures being the ones that meet the strongest competition."
The sale was conducted by Elders Young, with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as the guest auctioneer.
AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
