Bella Lana wools attract plenty of repeat bidding competition at Dripstone sale

Improving wool quantity with quality seemed to be on the minds of buyers at the 18th annual Bella Lana Poll Merino stud ram sale at Dripstone near Wellington on Friday, September 18.

Of the 121 rams offered, 119 sold to $11,000 and averaged $3685, increasing the sale average by $1284 on last year's result for 92 rams.

Lot 19, tag 250007, was the top-priced ram at $11,000, purchased by Jim McLaughlin, Merryanbone, Canonba.

Progeny of two rams purchased last year at Bella Lana are now at weaner stage at the Merryanbone stud with studmaster Jim McLaughlin saying he was yet to see how they "go". But he returned this year to find rams that would fill more wool onto his super-long woolled flock ewes.

These included the $11,000 sale-topper and another at $6000.

"I'm looking for the influence of these rams to fill more wool on our ewes and to balance out some of our really long-stapled free growing ewes," Mr McLaughlin said.

The Merryanbone flock has used SRS bloodlines since early years and Mr McLaughlin is joining about 6700 ewes of 20-micron average, cutting an average seven-kilogram fleece.

This year he gained 145 per cent of lambs mustered - or an estimated 140pc to ewes joined - on top of 147pc last year.

The $11,000 sale-topper by the Ridgeway sire, had seven breeding values in the top 20 per cent of industry values, including Merino lamb and sustainable Merino indexes, post weaning and yearling weights, yearling clean fleece weight and ewe rearing ability.

As well, the ram's indexes for yearling fat depth and intramuscular fat are among the top 30pc.

First-time buyers George and Jess Holland, Dapper Pastoral Co, Avondale, Goolma, bought 12 rams for a $4417 average, including an $8500 second equal top-priced ram.

Mr Holland said he agreed with Scott Brien's breeding objectives.

"They balance out well and I can see these rams [bought] will improve our wools as we don't want to lose wool cut," he said.

The Hollands joined 2500 ewes this year growing an average 19-micron wool.

Adults shorn at eight months are cutting an average 4.8kg while young sheep at six-month shearing are cutting 3.8kg of 17.5-micron wool.

One of Bella Lana's longest established clients, Warwick Leeson, Anglewood, Dunedoo, who bids up well for the rams he wants and has been the buyer of sale toppers several times in the past 18 years, returned and purchased two rams including the other $8500 second equal top-priced ram and another for $7500.

Also returning were Marcus and Jo Clarke, Mehruda, Bakers Swamp, who this year secured eight rams for a $5188 average and topping at $7000.

Robyn Cosgrove, Triangle Flat, Lyndhurst, another repeat buyer of sale-toppers in past years, returned to secure two rams at $7000 each.

Bestwick Pastoral Co, O'Connell, consistent buyers of rams in past years, bought five rams for a $4100 average while paying to $6000.

Reedy Creek Partners, Craig and Luke Dunn, Reedy Creek, returned for their second year and secured five rams while paying to $6500 and also a $4100 average.

The family is joining 3000 ewes of 17-micron cutting 5.5kg of wool.

Luke Dunn said they had been at the past four sales bought at the past two.

"I like what Scotty is doing here and we want to be part of this," he said.

So impressed with the results of their first 10 purchases last year, Kym and Ian Handley, Tyrconnel Downs, Mungullala, near Mitchell, Queensland, returned to buy 10 rams for a $1550 average, paying to $5000.

Charlie Buckmaster, Yass, returned for his third sale and bought six rams averaging $3167.

He said he was moving to non-mulesed sheep without losing too much wool cut, and said it was working with Bella Lana rams.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Stud Stock, Dubbo with John Settree the auctioneer.