Merrignee rams sell to three states as averages rise at Boorowa ram sale
Return clients have taken home the top-priced ram at the Merrignee unhoused Merino and Poll Merino ram sale at Boorowa on Friday, October 10, as competitive bidding sold rams across the southern states.
At auction, 81 of 88 rams sold to a $7000 top to average $2525, with all passed-in lots selling shortly after.
The top-priced ram, Merrignee M23117, sold to Ian and Ryan Greenwood, Macoolama, Yass.
The ram, by MGN Brocky GM 21-087 had a fibre diameter of 18.5 micron, with a 2.7 micron standard deviation, 14.6 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.7pc comfort factor. He weighed 121 kilograms and was born a twin, with a greasy fleece weight during March shearing of 106.6kg.
Ian Greenwood said the bone structure, depth, and wool cut were deciding factors in selecting Merrignee M23117.
"I've got superfine ewes, so I'll cross him with them and see how he goes [at joining] next month," he said.
"I'm chasing woolcut and a bit of style to fill bales."
Two rams were sold for the second top price of $6500.
Merrignee M23075 sold for $6500 to Guys Forest Merino Stud, Walwa, Vic. The southern stud secured four rams to average $4250.
Orange-based buyer Neil Williams, Ashburnia, purchased Merignee M24277 for $6500, the highest-priced poll ram. By Meringee NP189, the 78kg ram recorded 16.9 micron with 2.4 standard deviation and a coefficient of variation of 14.2pc, and a comfort factor of 99.8pc.
Mr Williams said the ram was ideal for boosting their operation, due to his ability to be used across a broad ewe flock.
"He's a pretty versatile ram ... he could go over older ewes or younger ewes, in any direction you really wanted him to," he said.
Tasmanian buyer Alan Birchall, Cloverside, purchased Merignee M23080 for $3000. By Merignee MGN F5 Big Soper 19-107, the 115kg ram was born a twin, with an 18.4 micron, 2.8 standard deviation and a coefficient of variation of 15.2pc, and a comfort factor of 99.9pc.
Lone Start Partnership, Hamilton, Vic, purchased Merignee M24269 for $2500, while Warren and Kathryn Williams, Lewis Ponds, purchased Merigniee M24177 for $3000.
Local buyers took advantage of the sale, and volume buyers Tim and Toby McGrath, Hopefield, Boorowa, selected an even 10 rams for their mixed operation, to average $2250.
"We needed 10 and we got 10, so we're pretty happy," Toby McGrath said.
"We're chasing a but of size and good wool, they should fit in nicely."
Repat clients of 25 years, the McGraths said the rams will be used within their Merino operation at Hopefield.
Milton Pastoral, Woodstock, secured eight rams averaging $1250, while Stony Creek Pastoral, Wyangala, also secured eight rams, averaging $1937.
Merrignee stud principal Jono Merriman said the two-year-old rams set a pleasing standard, with preparation well underway for the rams of 2026, thanks to more positive weather conditions, and an average up by more than $250 on 2024.
"The lead animals sold very well; they will be off to a few different Merino studs, which is great to see people seeing value in the style the size of those animals," he said.
"Everyone's had a tough winter. We weaned them onto some pasture cropping, and it was just a long grind through winter ... We've been a bit lucky, we had another 20mm the other day and decided to eat the crop out, hopefully that will give the [new season] lambs a good start."
The sale was facilitated by Elders Stud Stock and Nutrien Ag Solutions, with auctioneer Aaron Seaman.
