Heavy wool cutting rams attract strong support from repeat buyers at Willandra
Interstate buyers were strong at the 48th annual Willandra Merino stud ram sale, held on-property at Jerilderie on Wednesday, September 23.
At the fall of the hammer, all 74 Poll Merino rams sold to a top of $15,000 to average $5155, while 24 of 25 Merino rams sold to $7500 twice and for an average of $4604.
A mini-auction was also held with 11 of 12 Poll Merino and Merino rams sold for an average of $3000.
While the top-priced rams stayed in NSW, interstate buyers were particularly active with rams also going to Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
The top-priced ram was Willandra 0080, which sold for $15,000 to Vatua Partnership, Coonamble.
The Poll Merino ram, sired by Glenlea Park, was 20.9 micron with 3 micron standard deviation, 14.6 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.5pc comfort factor.
He weighed 114 kilograms and scanned an eye muscle depth of 41.5 millimetres and 7mm fat.
Buyer Bill Mackay said they selected the ram for his structure, micron and wool style.
"We've got big-framed sheep already, so getting a high body weight is a big part of it," he said.
Mr Mackay said they run about 4000 Merino ewes in a true dual-purpose operation and cut an average of 20.5 micron wool.
"We breed our own rams and like to keep it simple - trying to produce as much red meat per hectare as we can and as many kilograms of wool per hectare as we can," he said.
"I think he's going to be a good fit and introduce some new blood into our program.
"He's going to breed some more future breeders for us and keep getting fast growing weaners we can sell quickly and anything we keep is going to be producing a lot of wool."
Mr Mackay said they had been buying from Willandra on and off for about the past 10 years.
The second top-priced ram was Willandra 0246, which sold for $14,500 to Narada Grazing Co, Tambo, Qld.
The Poll Merino ram, by Wiringa Park 220450, was 22.2 micron with 3.3 micron SD, 15pc CV and 98.5 CF.
He weighed 112kg and scanned 41mm EMD and 5mm fat.
In the horned draft, the top price of $7500 was reached twice including for Willandra 0052, which was purchased by Hayden Croake, Piambong.
The ram, by Wanganella 190163, was 19.5 micron with 3.3 micron SD, 16.6 CV and 99.8pc CF.
He weighed 112kg and scanned 40.5mm EMD and 6mm fat.
The other Merino to reach $7500 was Willandra 0050, which sold to Sleigh Pastoral Co, Jerilderie.
The ram, by Wanganella 190163, was 21.8 micron with 3.3 micron SD, 15.3 CV and 98.5pc CF.
He was 109.5kg and scanned 40.5mm EMD and 4.5mm fat.
Buyer Tom Sleigh said they selected them ram for his overall structure.
"And his figures were exceptional," he said.
The Sleighs purchased 10 rams at auction for an average of $4300, plus further grade rams after the sale.
Mr Sleigh said they predominantly opted for the horned Merinos as he said they cut a little bit more wool and had more cover.
He said they join about 5500 ewes a year and cut a flock average of 18 to 19 micron wool.
Mr Sleigh said the season and market decides when they sell their wether lambs, this year straight after weaning.
"We wanted to sell them while the prices were high," he said.
Mr Sleigh said the family were long-term repeat buyers of Willandra, usually buying 10 to 13 rams.
Volume buyers of the sale included long-term repeat buyer Merri Merri, Gulagambone, who purchased 21 rams for an average of $3619.
Willandra Merinos
Pictures by Alexandra Bernard
Purchasing on behalf of Steve Rae, Merri Merri, classer Chris Bowman said they opted for the Willandra rams for their wool and frames.
"They've got great lock structure and nourishment, bulky wools on big frames," he said.
"They particularly like them to have good width across the loin and the body."
Mr Bowman said they chose sheep for the environment.
"They like a sheep with a big barrel and they like good lambing percentages," he said.
"They like bales of wool out the door as well - it's a very simple philosophy."
Willandra stud principal Ross Wells said it was very pleasing result with a few new clients along with strong support from repeat buyers.
"When you average over $5000 you know you're mixing it with the best," he said.
"The return buyers stood up to the pressure."
Mr Wells said clients were opting for the heavy wool cutters.
"They come for the quality wool and their frames," he said.
Mr Wells said they would now turn their attention to the final John Wells Memorial sheep sale at Jerilderie, on October 2.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Elders, with Peter Godbolt, Nutrien, and Nick Gray, Elders, sharing the rostrum.
AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.
