Brimanna achieves stronger clearance and average as confidence returns

Renewed confidence in the sheep industry translated into stronger competition at the Brimanna Poll Merino annual on-property ram sale at Yeelanna, where the stud sold 78 of 79 rams offered to a top of $6000 three times and an average of $1909.

The average lifted almost $600 on last year's $1328, while the stud also sold 12 more rams than in 2025.

Stud principal Jayden Harris, Yeelanna, said the result exceeded expectations despite uncertainty around when producers would see returns from improved market conditions.

"We were really happy with the result," Mr Harris said.

"Everybody knows the season's a lot better and sheep, lamb and wool are all in a much better position than last year, but people still haven't got paid yet and it's still a while until harvest.

"You don't really know how much money people have got to spend, so to sell 78 out of 79, average more than $1900 and sell 12 more rams than last year, you can't get much better than that."

The top price $6000 was achieved by lots 1, 2 and 11.

Lot 1, weighing 108 kilograms and sired by Brimanna 143, carried a 20.3 micron fleece with a 2.8 standard deviation, 13.8 coefficient of variation, 99.5 per cent comfort factor, 0.9 greasy fleece weight, 43 eye muscle depth and a fat score of 7.

Lot 2 weighed 115.5kg and was sired by Rice's Creek 118. It measured 18.1M, 2.6SD, 14.1CV, 99.8CF, 0.1GFW, 43.2EMD and 7.2F.

Lot 11, weighing 117kg and also sired by Brimanna 143, had a 19.3M, 3SD,15.4CV, 99.8CF, 0.2GFW, 43EMD and 6.7F.

Lots 1 and 11 were purchased by long-term client Nick Maddern, Yeelanna, while Lot 2 was secured by Berry Springs Farming, Yallunda Flat.

Mr Harris said each of the top-priced rams brought different strengths to the offering.

"Lot 11 was the champion unhoused ram at the Wudinna Expo and really stood out for his size and overall scale," he said.

"Lot 1 is a ram we're actually going to use in our own AI program because he's got a really rich, soft handling, crimpy wool.

"Lot 2 has a beautifully nourished white wool with really good growth and plenty of bone."

Buyer Nick Maddern said Lot 11 first caught his attention when it won the unhoused ram competition at the Expo.

"It was his size, wool quality and quantity that really stood out, especially considering he had limited preparation," Mr Maddern said.

"Lot 1 comes from a good family group that Jayden has had for a long time and he had good quality wool on him."

Mr Maddern said the rams would be used in the family's ram breeding program for their commercial Merino enterprise.

"We run about 2200 Merino ewes and we've been buying Brimanna rams for three generations," he said.

Volume support came from A&T Robbins and Son, Yeelanna, purchasing 22 rams to a $1600 top and averaging $1050.

AJ&HL Hayes, Morambie Station, via Broken Hill, bought eight rams to a $1400 top and $950 average, while Kaira Pty Ltd, Wirrulla, secured six rams, paying $5000 twice.

Mr Harris said the stud was excited by the genetics coming through the flock.

"We offered the first sons of the Sharlu Park ram we bought last year and they sold really well," he said.

"We've also got more sons coming through, along with progeny from the Wiringa Park ram we bought in WA and the $80,000 Terrick West ram we've used in our AI program.

"All those sons look exceptional and we're really excited to see what they'll do."

EP Livestock auctioneer Ben Dohnt, who conducted the sale in conjunction with Nutrien, said the quality and consistency of the draft underpinned the strong result.

"There was plenty of interest right through the catalogue and every time you thought it might ease off, another ram would make $3000 later in the sale," he said.

"The rams were as even as I've seen anywhere.

"You could throw a blanket over the whole lot because they were so true to type."