'Exceptional quality' ram sells to central Victoria to refresh bloodlines

A central Victorian stud has purchased the top-priced Merino ram at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show as part of its plans to refresh its superfine bloodlines.

At the fall of the hammer, 68 of the 92 rams on offer at the multi-vendor sale sold to an average of $5449, with a 74 per cent clearance rate.

Several lots were also purchased following the sale.

Sam Picker, Hillcreston Merino stud, Bigga, NSW, sold Lot 57, Hillcreston A20181, for $15,000 to Beverley Merino stud, Redesdale.

"We picked them out 12 months ago for today's sale, and they've proven themselves here," Mr Picker said.

"We had a tough start this year, but the rains came and we've got growth, the sheep have changed over the last month or two, everything's looking good.

"We've been breeding for 116 years now, and we are known for producing a fine wool product ... it's good to see those genetics still getting out there."

The top-priced ram was purchased by Andrew Calvert, Wool Solutions, Longford, Tas, on behalf of Beverley.

"His exceptional wool quality was what stood out," Mr Calvert said.

"We run a Hillcreston family within the Beverley stud and we were getting a little bit thin in sires.

"It was time to add to the sire battery."

The January 2024-drop ram, sired by Hillcreston Ming, had a 14.6-micron fleece, a standard deviation (SD) of 2.5, coefficient of variation (CV) of 17.3 and comfort factor (CF) of 99.6 per cent.

His curvature was 112.9 and spinning factor was 13.8, and he was shorn in August 2025.

Mr Calvert said Beverley had used Hillcreston genetics for some years, and planned to use the young ram to boost their line.

"We needed the genetics, it's important, especially for superfine wool," he said.

Beverley also purchased Lot 28, Langdene A20032, for $10,000.

The second top-priced ram, Lot 88, was sold by Banavie Merino stud, Marnoo, for $14,000 to Bob Rollinson, Concordia, Mysia.

The May 2025-drop ram, Banavie M37384, was sired by Ban Neil 190009, out of 220005 Pete.

He had an 18.3-micron fleece, an SD of 3.4, CV of 18.6 and CF 99.2pc.

His fleece curvature was 55.1 and he had a spinning factor of 17.4.

Terrick West Poll Merino stud, Prairie, sold Lot 5, Terrick West M37107, for $11,000 to fellow vendors Jolly Jumbuck Poll Merino stud, Mitchell, Qld.

"You never know what rams are going to make at these sales, and we're very happy with that price, he's going to a very good stud," Terrick West stud principal Ross McGauchie said.

"For the first two or three months of his life, and for the next six to eight months, it was pretty tough, but he's been on feed, and he was out with some ewes, so we have lambs by him or we're assuming we have."

Charlie Brumpton, Jolly Jumbuck, said the ram more than earned his place in the flock.

"He has a tremendous wool on him, that good crimping, well-nourished wool with plenty of fibres, but it's also his pedigree," Mr Brumpton said.

"We're pretty keen on getting another sire by him, and we'll cross him over some ewes as well."

By Wallaloo Park 422, the June 2025-drop ram had a 19.2 micron fleece, an SD of 3.3, CV of 17.1 and CF 99.5pc.

Mr Brumpton said the ram would be part of their autumn joining for a spring lambing.

"Terrick West sheep have great wool on them," he said.

"We're trying to get a bit of shape and early maturity, and he's got the figure to back him up.

"We'll get plenty of growth out of him, as well as good wool."

Ioness Poll Merino stud, Lake Bolac, purchased three rams to average $9667, while Nutrien Horsham purchased three rams on behalf of Gorlona, which averaged $3334.

Elders stud stock manager Ross Milne, Hamilton, said the top-end rams had achieved "good, solid, sales".

"Probably the clearance was back on last year a little bit, but buyers were selective and they can be," he said.

"People found the rams they wanted and it was solid enough without being extreme."

Mr Milne said spring sales looked reasonably positive, with an expectation they would be on a par with last year.

"The mutton market is good, the lamb job is good, and season-wise, most of Victoria, NSW and South Australia are experiencing sound seasonal conditions, which is good," he said.

"Clearance is key, and hopefully we will achieve a good clearance."