'Year of the Merino': Glenpaen nears best-ever sale with $1000 average jump
Glenpaen Merino and Poll Merino stud recorded a $1000 increase in average year-on-year at its 30th annual sale.
The Brimpaen stud cleared 92 rams out of 96 offered on Friday for an average of $3745 and top price of $11,000.
Last year, the stud offered 92 rams and sold 80, with the sale averaging $2675 and topping at $9000.
The top-priced ram, Lot 18, was purchased by Somhill Mellis, Warracknabeal.
The ram was sired by Lachlan Merino 118 and had a 15.6 micron fleece, with a 2.5 standard deviation, 16.2 coefficient of variation and 99.8 per cent comfort factor.
Glenpaen stud principal Rod Miller said there were 14 more registered buyers this year compared to last year as clients sought out good wool while the job was strong.
"People are just starting to chase a bit of wool cut again," Mr Miller said.
"The job has come good and they still want a bit of wool on them, but it's got to be good wool.
"Big, white, waxy wool - that's what made the better money."
"It's definitely the year of the Merino, hopefully the decade."
Bidding was strong across the offering with the top 23 rams selling for $6000 or more.
One of the top volume buyers was Lake Banks, Noradjuha, who purchased seven rams.
Somhill was also a volume buyer, taking home seven rams in total including Lot 1 for $9000, whose sale proceeds were donated to the Wimmera Cancer Centre in memory of Mr Miller's late father Bill, who passed away earlier this year.
