EP stud cracks $3k average in best South Australian ram sale to date

The average and clearance both soared at the White River Poll Merino stud auction at Minnipa on Thursday.

Held on-property, the ram sale achieved an average of a staggering $3099 across a full clearance of 125 rams, up from 2025's result of 117 of 125, averaging $1952.

Selling to Moorundie Park, Gulnare, at Lot 3 for $14,000, the top priced ram carried a fleece with figures of 17.9 for micron, 2.8 for standard deviation, 15.6 for coefficient of variation and 99.7 per cent for comfort factor.

It had a fat depth of 7.2 millimetres and an eye muscle depth of 44.1mm.

It was sired by M043, a Moorundie ram purchased for $60,000 in 2023.

Buying on behalf of Moorundie Park's Davidson family, Elders stud stock agent Alistair Keller said the stud was chasing a sire with a similar type of bloodline as its own.

"He's a big barrelly sheep with a really good pure white wool on the back of him and plenty of wool cut as well," he said.

"He'll go over the top end of ewes to try and get some really sweet, soft wools."

White River stud principal Wes Daniell said the ram was one he had had his eye on since birth.

"He's got good figures, he weighs about 130 kilograms, and he's just a plain, long-stapled ram," he said.

White River will retain rights to 200 doses of semen from the ram.

The Morphett family, Alma Merinos, Hay, NSW, secured four rams in the sale, all with Moorundie bloodlines, establishing an even line.

It was the first visit to White River for the stud, who bought the second top priced ram in Lot 4 for $12,000.

Sired by White River 160, a son of Moorundie 61, Lot 4 had wool figures of 22.2M, 3.2 SD, 14.4 CV and 99.1 CF, and measuring 7.8mm for FAT and 45.4mm for EMD.

Peter Morphett said while Lot 4 was the most expensive ram he picked up, it was the consistency of his choice rams which made them all worth the purchase.

"They're multi-purpose in both carcase and wool," he said.

"We thought they all excelled in the traits we're after, with good length and staple and big, round-bodied rams.

"We wanted all rams to come from a similar bloodline to keep that consistency."

Mr Daniell said if you were looking to put wool on your sheep, Lot 4 was the ram.

"He sold himself as soon as people opened up his wool," he said.

"He's a bale filler on a plain body and is just very fault free. To have a new ram breeding client come to your sale just makes your sale really."

The stud also picked up Lot 3 for $8000, Lot 5 for $7000 and Lot 14 for $8000.

Buckleboo stud Oakfarms picked up one sire for $4000 in Lot 8, while studs Maramville, Ceduna, and Tamaleuca, Ouyen, Vic, were registered but did not take home rams.

Underpinning the sale was repeat clients Lairg Station, Elliston, who purchased 34 rams to an average of $1432.

Another key volume buyer was West Wimmera Beef, Nhill, Vic, taking home 30 rams at an average of $3673 and a top of $6400 for Lot 29, a Smithy family ram.

There were 25 registered bidders on-farm, plus bidding through AuctionsPlus.

"It was evident White River's trip to the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo has paid dividends," Nutrien stud stock auctioneer Gordon Wood said.

"There were new buyers in the barn and spirited bidding through AuctionsPlus coming from the eastern states.

"While there was competition and the average was strong, there were still rams in the affordable $1600 to $2000 range as well."

Elder stud stock auctioneer Tony Wetherall said the quality was evident from Lot 1 to 125.

"If you were a commercial buyer or a stud breeder there was something there for you," he said.

"You can see the diversity and strength of their genetics with buyers coming from NSW, Vic and around SA.

"They've got a balance of wood and carcase that can survive anywhere."

Next year, the stud will offer rams from Wiringa Park 742 purchased for $70,000 at Bendigo in 2025.

"We weaned them recently and they're looking great already," Mr Daniell said.

"Those rams will hopefully be a combination of just very safe bodies, good silky skins with real white, nourished, well-defined crimp wool on a big frame."