Three states compete as strong bidding lifts One Oak average

Rams sold to $16,000 at the One Oak Poll Merino sale near Jerilderie, in southern NSW.

The 76 rams sold, from 90 offered, averaged $3026, up from $2500 in 2025.

Buyers from three states competed on the offering of Poll Merino rams, with a mix of stud and commercial breeders looking for new sires.

The sale's top price of $16,000 was paid, after a bidding tussle, by Michael Green, Boudjah Merino stud, Cooma.

The ram, One Oak 25W0200, was the fourth to be offered and tested 18.0 micron with a standard deviation of 3.0, a comfort factor of 99.8 per cent and a bodyweight of 107 kilograms.

Stud principal Alistair Wells said the ram was a big, well-put-together ram with beautiful wool.

"This ram is a true dual Merino sheep," he said.

Next best price was $13,000, paid by Donald Bull, Deniliquin, a repeat buyer who wanted to add another One Oak Poll ram to his sire battery.

The ram, tag 25W0007, is an elite stud sire, weighing 106 kilograms and testing 18.2 micron with a comfort factor of 99.5pc.

Mr Wells said the ram was bred in the stud's embryo transfer program out of the stud's WP422 daughter and had magnificent wool.

Stud interest included Pemcaw Merinos, Dunedoo, with Henry Armstrong and son Tom paying $10,000 for lot one, tag 25W0056, a 107kg, correct ram which tested 19.5 micron. They bought a second ram for $2750.

Volume buyers included Andrew and Catherine Browning, Ivyholme, Jerilderie, who bought six rams to a top of $4500 and Barry Carruthers, Lake Cargelligo, who spent up to $3000 for six rams.

Bulk buyers included Mundatta Pastoral Company, Berremangra, with five rams to $4500, and B and J Lanfranchi, Ararat, Vic, who bought four rams to a top of $3500.

Long-time clients David Lyon, Melville Forest, Vic, bought four rams to $3750 and Grant Malone, Boort, Vic, bought four rams to $2250.

Mr Wells said he was proud of the depth of quality of wool in the rams presented for sale this year.

"There's no doubt that quality of wool was chased throughout the sale," he said.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien and Elders with Tim Woodham, Nutrien Stud Stock, and Ryan Bejada, Elders Stud Stock, auctioneering.