Lifting wool market has growers from three states flocking to Queenlee sale
There were plenty of smiles and just a bit of relief at Salisbury Plains on Tuesday after Queenlee Merino and Poll Merino stud sold rams to new and returning buyers across three states.
Queenlee's Philip and Jenni Carlon sold 44 of the 51 rams offered at the stud's 37th on-property sale, reaching a top price of $2000 twice.
The sale, which attracted buyers from across the state, South Australia and Queensland, averaged $1185 with a clearance of 86 per cent.
The equal top-priced ram, polled sire prospect Queenlee 2002, was snapped up by Max and Ralph Price, Pyramul.
The two-year-old son of Max Ultra had a fibre diameter of 15.1 micron with a standard deviation of 2.6, and a comfort factor (CF) 100pc.
He had a greasy fleece weight (GFW) of 130pc and a faecal egg count (FEC) of -70pc.
Queenlee 2002 had already made a mark, after claiming the reserve champion superfine polled ram title at the Great Southern Supreme Merino in Bathurst last year.
"We've kept a couple of his brothers to breed on with," Queenlee's Philip Carlon said.
Horned sire prospect Queenlee 35 sold to long-time Queenlee clients Norm and Rose Heywood, Bundarra, for an equal top of $2000.
By a Hollow Mount sire, Queenlee 35 had a micron of 14.6 with a standard deviation of 2.7, also with a CF of 100pc.
The two-year-old also had a GFW of 126pc and FEC of -70pc.
"You don't often get a 14.6 micron with that size and amount of wool cut on him. He had beautiful, stylish spinners-type wool."
Norm and Rose Heywood, Willowbank, Bundarra, were keen to stock up on Queenlee genetics, buying seven rams in total.
Second-time buyers Philip and Vanessa Bell, Emu Creek, Walcha, bought seven rams during the auction and seven grade rams.
G and B Murphy purchased four rams.
Mr Carlon was happy and relieved after the sale, especially following some challenging times for woolgrowers.
"It was a great result. We also sold grade rams straight after the sale too. It was good to get a good clearance," he said.
"They just want to breed superfines, cutting a big, productive fleece, and that's why they come to Queenlee."
He noticed buyers had more of a spring in their step at the sale.
"With the way the mutton and lamb prices are, and with wool prices improving, there was definitely more optimism.
"The agents were feeling more positive - they can see the wool supply is dwindling and the stocks on hold are being sold. Hopefully in the near future, there will be a positive upturn for the wool job."
Even though no rams were sold through AuctionsPlus on the day, Mr Carlon said it was well worth having the sale interfaced with the platform.
"It gives our sheep bigger exposure out of the area, so we will keep supporting AuctionsPlus."
- The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Armidale and Schute Bell Badgery Lumby, and interfaced on AuctionsPlus
