Wilgunya Merino ram sale well supported by NSW, western producers

Despite a couple of clients dropping out at the last moment, the Wilson family of Wilgunya Merinos sold more than 200 rams at its Dirranbandi on-property sale on Thursday, October 2.

The sale included 78 of 80 single rams that averaged $2208 with three making the top price at $3400.

They included a full clearance of 15 poll rams averaging $1533 to a top of $2600, while 63 of 65 single, horned rams topped at $3400 three times, to average $2368.

In addition to this, 35 rams sold in pens of three, resulting in 113 of 115 rams averaging $1945.

Post-sale, there were another 102 rams sold.

Benn Wilson said under the circumstances of the lesser number of buyers, he was happy with the result.

In 2024, all 80 single rams sold and averaged $2043. Together with the pens of three, 116 rams sold to average $1884.

The first two top-priced rams this year were purchased by long-term clients, Ian and Jemma Hartog, Somerset, Collarenebri, NSW, who secured 20 rams in total for a $1860 average.

One of their top rams, by a homebred sire, was a 83 kilograms, measuring 20.3-micron fibre diametre, 3.7-micron standard deviation, 17.7 per cent coefficient of variation and 99pc comfort factor.

The other equal top purchase weighed 84kg and was growing 19.8-micron wool with a 3.8-micron SD, 17pc CV and 99pc CF.

The third top price ram went to Rob and Anna Diener, Waroona Station, Stonehenge, among 41 purchases they made, averaging $2210 in their fifth year at the sale.

Their top ram was a 19.9-micron, 3.7-micron SD, 18.6pc CV, 99.9pc CF, weighing 77kg.

The Dieners also purchased the top poll ram for $2600.

It was an AI son of Rangeview 24 growing 21-micron wool with 3.8-micron SD, 17.4pc CV, 99pc CF and weighed 82kg.

New buyer, Dave Lennon, Cranbourne Grazing, Yelarbon, bought four rams to $1300 average.

Andrew Gardiner, Paddabilla, Eulo, purchased 19 rams for a $1673 average and a top of $2100.

The season at Wilgunya has been a "cracker", according to Mr Wilson, who took over management of the enterprise from his father, Max, back in January this year.

"While it is the driest it's been now, it's still very good," Mr Wilson said.

"The three years 2017,'18 and '19 were the worst back-to-back years on record, however, since then, it's been pretty good. Although 2023 was ordinary with a lot of dry feed with no protein, but since then, it's been really good."

Average rainfall at Wilgunya is 450 millimetres.

"We're right on 500mm now for this year and recorded 609mm last year, 737mm in 2022 and 213mm in 2023," he said.

The stud was established in 1979 on Collinsville blood.

In recent years, Mr Wilson had used a few more Collinsville rams, including purchasing a semen share in one that sold for $50,000 this year.

"We've also recently bought a semen share in a Westray ram that sold for $40,000," he said.

The stud also purchased a Westray ram for $7000 at this year at the annual Westray sale at Peak Hill, NSW.

Wilgunya stud flock carries 1200 ewes growing 19-micron wool average and cutting an average six kilograms of wool, while another 4000 ewes make up their commercial flock growing 19-micron wool on average.

Joining is timed for March/April for an August/September drop.

The 15 single poll sale rams this year were mostly sired by AI from a Rangeview ram from Darkan, WA.

"I had purchased 100 straws and as he's done a pretty good job. I've just ordered another 100," Mr Wilson said.

• Agents: Nutrien and Elders, St George.