Top ram reaches five figures at Merrignee as buyers back fine wool traits
A strong local presence and loyal buyers made the most of positive conditions in the season, and the market, at the 36th annual Merrignee unhoused Merino and Poll Merino ram sale at Boorowa on Friday, October 9.
Rams sold across the district, and further south to Victoria, supported by buyers from Boorowa, Yass, Rye Park and Woodstock.
At auction, 74 of 90 rams sold to a $10,000 top, and averaged $2750, with most passed-in lots sold shortly after.
Top-priced ram, Merrignee 24221, sold to Roger and Mark Rayner, Willow View Partnership, Yass, with a top price eclipsing that of recent years.
The polled two-year-old ram, had a fibre diameter of 17.6 micron, with a 2.5 standard deviation, 13.3 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor. An artificially-inseminated son from Merrignee CH 19-204, he also recorded a greasy fleece weight, during March shearing, of 115pc.
"He had lovely wool and a bit of neck on him, which is hard to find these days," Mark Rayner said.
"He also had good cover for a traditional wool sheep," Roger Rayner said.
Both woolgrowers credited a favourable season and a drier patch reducing the worm burden ahead of joining, beginning across about 3000 Merino ewes next autumn.
Second top-priced ram, Merrignee 24230, sold to B and A Smith, Stockinbingal, for $8500.
By Meriginee NP 22189, the polled two-year-old twin recorded a 16.8 micron, 2.7SD, 12.7CV and 99.9pc comfort factor, with a greasy fleece weight of 127pc.
Volume buyers Tim and Toby McGrath, Hopefield, Boorowa, secured 12 rams at the sale, which averaged $2937. Tim McGrath said the quality and traditional-type wool kept them coming back for more than three decades.
"We bought most of our number one picks, we were lucky in the front to have six of our number one picks of the first 12," Toby McGrath said.
"We're in for a well above average spring, they'll be in for the next couple of weeks and joined at the end of the month, early November."
Purchasing in bulk was an important part of the business strategy, Mr McGrath said.
"The rams get used twice, for autumn and spring lambs," he said.
"They probably don't last as long, but we do get the value out of them, joined to about 2500 ewes."
Merrignee Ram Sale 2026 | Gallery
Pictures by Eliza Spencer.
Lone Star Partnership, Hamilton, Vic, purchased Merignee 25044 for $2000, while Warren and Kathryn Williams, Lewis Ponds, bought Merignee 25052 for $6500.
Queenlee Merino, Salisbury Plains, secured Merrignee 25180 and Merrignee 25075 for $3500 and $3000, respectively.
Stud principal Jono Merriman welcomed the lift in confidence for buyers, with the progeny of Sydney Royal supreme champion Merrignee 21539 already starting to make his mark in the flock for next year's sale.
"There was only one in the sale this year from the supreme, but a lot of our clients are going to use semen out of him," Mr Merriman said.
"Today, the bulk of the good sheep sold well, and those that wanted rams had plenty to pick from."
The sale was facilitated by Elders Stud Stock and Nutrien Ag Solutions, with auctioneer Aaron Seaman.
