Buyers raise sights at SWM's annual ram sale for huge lift in sale average
Buyers from a huge geographical area, stretching from SA's pastoral areas to high rainfall Tasmania, ensured Superior Wool Merinos 19th annual ram sale average was up more than $1300 on the previous year.
And stud principal Richard Harkness sold many more rams compared to 2025 too.
Five of the 32 registered bidders secured double digit tallies from the impressive catalogue.
This ensured a total clearance of the main auction of 120 Poll Merinos for a $3377 average - joining the ranks of three other studs which have averaged $3000 plus.
In comparison in 2025, 117 of 119 rams averaged $2017.
All 35 rams also sold in the mini auction for a $1749 average and another 25 private selection rams were also sold by the day's end.
The Tintinara stud has long been renowned for its white, well-nourished wools but it has worked hard to add carcase qualities which has broadened the appeal of its sheep.
The first four rams stood out in the pens, but especially Lot two the $10,000 sale topper.
Elders auctioneer Laryn Gogel described the 18.4 micron ram as a "stud sire with beautiful frame and cover".
BR&C Broken Hill's David Whittenbury put in the winning bid on behalf of Stuart Everett and his daughter and son-in law Rachel and Ian Jones, Lone Gum stud, Crystal Brook.
Mr Whittenbury said the ram had a "hard to find" combination of clean fleece weight (top 10 per cent ASBV at 32.63) as well as meat and fat, yearling staple length, structural correctness and very good claw set.
However the biggest appeal was the ram's predictable pedigree - sired by SWM 234404 - a ram which was sold at the 2024 Classings Classic sale to Aloeburn and Baderloo and Hendowie studs. 234404's sire was from NSW stud Mumblebone.
"His sire had five reference sires in the sale today as sons as well as himself - he has bred so much strength into the SWM program and the ewes have given us that heritability of fibre quality and (wool) weather proofness," Mr Whittenbury said.
"We are trying to take that and combine it with a very solid ASBV data set at Lone Gum without giving away 65 years of fibre and phenotype."
Mr Everett said he was excited to see the ram's influence on their stud.
"We are looking at figures more and more but to get anywhere to be industry average or better we need to find that elite end," he said.
Richard Storch Family Trust, Bordertown, which was the underbidder went on to buy 12 top-end rams for a $4833 average. This included Lot four - another SWM234304 son - for $7750.
The dominant buyers were Tryon and Anna Hughes, Treetop Estate, Field, who put together 36 rams for a $1992 average across both the main and mini auctions.
Other major buyers included Hansen Farms, Coomandook, with 11 rams, averaging $3305, and Burge Trading Trust, Naracoorte, with the same number, averaging $2432.
Mr Harkness said he was very grateful for his clients' loyal support.
"It was over the top from what I probably thought, but it was a result that is reflective of the situation season-wise, with wool, sheep and lamb prices all going well," he said.
"It is good to have a spread of clientele because seasonal conditions usually dictate that someone is not going well, but at the moment everyone is going well from Streaky Bay to Leigh Creek to Tasmania."
Mr Gogel said he knew there were volume buyers wanting rams but it was "outstanding" to clear so many rams.
"This is the 19th sale and I reckon I have been to 17 of them and the consistency of type gets better every year," he said.
"We have seen rams go to Tasmania before and know they can handle the cold and the bleak, but the volume of rams that are going to the pastoral country is showing that these sheep are very diverse and can also handle the dry and the dust in the bush."
Elders conducted the sale with Mr Gogel and Steven Doecke sharing the rostrum.
