Pendarra and Stockton Merino studs share top honours at multi-vendor sale

Gippsland Merino studs Pendarra and Stockton have shared the spotlight at an annual multi-vendor sale, each hitting an $8000 top price for rams heading to stud and high-country flocks.

Of the 122 rams offered by six vendors at the Gippsland Merino Ram Sale, 105 sold to a top price of $8000 twice and average of $3047.

Pendarra Merino & Poll Merino stud principals Kelvin and Jackie Pendergast, Benambra, sold 70 of 76 rams to a top price of $8000 to average $3271.

Round Hill Merino stud principals Brendan and Tracey Ah Sam, Omeo, sold 15 of 16 rams to a top price of $5500 to average $2700, while Stockton Merino stud principal Allan Stewart, Hillside, sold eight of 10 polled rams to a top price of $8000 to average $2350.

Macehill Merino stud principals Luke and Casey Nicholls, Fernbank, sold six of eight rams to $1500 to average $1500, while The Fringe Merino stud principal John Freeman, Briagolong, recorded a total clearance of eight horned and polled rams to a top price of $4000 and an average $2625.

Nicholson River Merino stud principals Doug and Hugh Pemberton, Nicholson, offered eight polled rams, which did not sell at auction.

In comparison to 2025, 92 of 120 rams sold to a top price of $6000 and an average of $1937.

The first top-priced ram, Lot 2, Pendarra M38095, was knocked down to Amber and Chris Connley, Rosevale Pastoral, Hinnomunjie.

The 15-month-old ram had wool measurements including 17.7 micron, 2.4 standard deviation (SD), 16.1 coefficient variation (CV) and a comfort factor (CF) of 99.5 per cent.

"I knew I was going to have to pay a bit for the rams we wanted and we're prepared to do that to improve the flock," Mr Connley said.

"We really liked the top ram's nourished wool, its style and its comfort factor.

"We sold three bales of 18.5-micron wool last week for about 1840 cents a kilogram greasy and one bale of 17-micron wool for about 1910c/kg, and that topped the sale in Melbourne."

The Connleys run a mixed-farming enterprise, including a flock of 2200 Merino and crossbred ewes.

Mr Pendergast said the sale of his rams exceeded his expectations.

"We had a lot of repeat buyers but a couple of new buyers, and some buyers who usually buy two or three rams who bought four or five," he said.

"That is a direct result of a rally in meat and wool prices.

"An example of this is when we sold wool recently, which was 600c/kg up on similar wool we sold back in December and that is a huge improvement in the wool job."

He said the top ram featured an even fleece and nice skin, describing him as an all-rounder.

The other equal top-priced ram was Lot 65, Stockton M38207, which was bought by three generations of the Wheeler family at Eildon Springs Merino stud, Lexton.

The 15-month-old ram had wool measurements included 17.1 micron, 2.2 SD, 12.6 CV and 100pc CF.

Mr Stewart said he had originally picked the ram out to keep.

"Then two or three of my stud clients showed some interest in him so I decided to put him up for sale," he said.

"Over the time, we have always had very white-wooled sheep and that has helped with flies over summer, but equally as important is the meat quality on these rams.

"We scanned these rams the other day and this ram was five out of five for intramuscular fat, and in the future, we think lamb will be sold like beef ... and when that comes in, intramuscular fat will be critical."

Mother and son Sharon and Stuart Pendergast, Benambra, were the exclusive buyers of Macehill's rams, purchasing six of the eight offered for $1500 each.

Elders Coxon Rural director Dean Coxon, Kyneton, was among the major volume buyers, purchasing 10 rams to average $3350 for an undisclosed grazier in the Kyneton district.

Two western Victorian buyers were also active at the sale, including Andrew Lyons, Wilkah Herefords, Vasey, who bought five rams to a top price of $3000, and Bernie Duggan, Harrow, who bought two rams, including Lot 1, Pendarra M38055, for $6500, and Lot 118, Pendarra M38116, for $2500.

Nutrien district wool area manager Jarrod Demarco, Mansfield, was another volume buyer, purchasing 15 rams on behalf of seven clients in north-east Victoria and Gippsland to a top price of $6500 for Lot 12, Pendarra M38078.

Gordon Moon, GA & SA Moon, Wulgulmerang, bought five rams to a top price of $5500 for Lot 25, Roundhill M38018.

Alan and Noeleen Smith, Innisfail, Cobungra River, bought six Pendarra-bred rams, including lots 3, 22 and 48.

Kevin and Mandy Dean, Tambo Crossing, bought five rams to a top price of $4000 for Lot 124, Pendarra M38079.

Killashandra Pastoral Co, Laggan, NSW, purchased Lot 34, Pendarra M38083, and Lot 50 Pendarra M38107.

Other buyers included Nariel Pty Ltd, Lawloit, who bought seven rams, B & A Ross, Stockdale, who bought four, and DA Coutts & Sons, Moolort, who bought five.

Elders Victoria and Riverina Merino studstock specialist Kevin Beaton said it was a strong result with "a top price not out of hand".

"Some of these sheep have gone up into NSW, others will go to western Victoria and locally across Gippsland," Mr Beaton said.

"It's a real credit to the vendors who got a good result."