Demondrille Merino and Poll Merino sells top ram for $2000 more than in '25

Prices eclipsed those of recent years in a nod to a bright future in wool at the 36^th annual Demondrille Merino and Poll Merino on-property sale at Harden on Tuesday, September 22.

Competitive bids lifted prices on the top ram by $2000 on the highest price paid last year, the average was up $800, and the stud sold more rams than before.

Overall, Andrew 'Charlie' and Paddy Davis sold 96 of 100 rams under the hammer to a top of $7500 and average of $3307, with a further ram sold shortly after the auction.

In all, 63 rams sold at $3000 or above, with many hitting the $5500 mark and three rams making $6500 to equal a second top sale price.

Brian and Helen Anderson, Lower Sylvia Vale, Binda, purchased the top-priced ram, Lot 5, Demondrille 250171, for $7500. He is a horned son of MG 210087.

The ram recorded a 17.1-micron fleece with a standard deviation of 2.7, coefficient of variation of 14.2 per cent, a comfort factor of 99.9pc, and greasy fleece weight of 133pc, and weighed 97.6 kilograms. He was 24.1kg at weaning, and had an eye muscle depth of 37mm and fat of 5mm.

The ram's Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) ranked in the top 20 per cent for fibre diameter.

Mr Anderson, who farms with his son Ben, has 7000 Merinos and crossbred lambs, and 400 head of cattle across 4000 hectares.

He said the ram was outstanding.

"He stood well, cuts well and has a beautiful fleece," he said.

"I picked him on the figures for micron and fleece weight, and they really stacked up. He has a finer micron and plenty of weight."

The Andersons also bought Lot 12, 250803, an 18.4-micron ram for $5500.

"If you need sheep, you've got to pay for them," Mr Anderson said.

Demondrille co-principal Paddy Davis was happy with the sale results, particularly in welcoming new buyers.

"It's really pleasing to see the confidence in the industry and the confidence in our sheep - both Merino and Poll Merino," he said.

"The Poll side of the stud is coming through way better than we expected in just six years.

"New clients are generally chasing Poll Merinos. We have more chance of finding the odd new client that way."

Mr Davis said the reward of presenting data through ASBVs had also paid off, particularly in supporting the next generation.

"Like many older stud owners, we have a lot of stuff in our head. By data recording this stuff, it will always be there for someone else to come along and carry on the business," he said.

"We try to keep up with technology and innovation in the Merino game. We are very focused on wool quality primarily and the structure of the sheep. That's our first priority, the collection of data and everything that comes with it is next."

The largest volume buyer was Tim Hobbs, Gunning and Bowral, with 16 rams. He is a long-time repeat volume customer of Demondrille Merinos.

Rick Power, Nutrien Stud Stock, Grenfell said while there was a mixed age group of clients, many of the buyers were young shearers, who always knew a good wool-producing ram when they saw one.

"The sheep presented very well and matched the data, and the prices were pushed on the fine wooled sheep," he said.

Woolgrowers from as far as Tasmania and Benalla, Victoria, succeeded with bids, while many rams went to buyers across the district and into the ACT.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Boorowa, with auctioneer Rick Power, and was interfaced on AuctionsPlus.