Phenotype and fleece weight the drivers for premium prices at Laraben sale

The top-price ram is heading to stud duties following the Laraben 11th on-property Poll Merino sale at Botobolar, near Mudgee, on Friday, October 16.

The sale hit a high of $12,000 while Laraben cleared 63 of 68 rams, averaging $3817.

Brothers Hayden and Seton Croake, Allendale Merino stud, Gollan, paid the $12,000 top for Laraben 250508, a son of Laraben 240049.

The ram weighed 101.5 kilograms and had an 18.4-microns fleece with, standard deviation of 2.7, coefficient of variation of 14.6 and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.

His Australian sheep breeding values included +30.34 for yearling clean fleece weight and +28.80 for adult clean fleece weight.

Hayden Croake said he had used Laraben rams for three years on a different operation, so he knew the sheep.

"We really just liked everything about him," he said.

He said the ram's wool particularly appealed. His polled status was also an asset as the brothers have begun breeding Poll Merinos for their Allendale stud.

Terry Dolbel, Milton Vale, Rockley, paid the second-top price of $11,000 for Laraben 250117.

He first saw the ram at the South West Slopes Merino field day at Harden and followed him to the sale, his first time buying from Laraben.

"I liked his wool cut and the 15.5 micron," he said.

The plan for the ram was to join him with stud ewes bought from Nerstane Merinos, Walcha.

"We've got him particularly for that purpose," he said.

Mr Dobel also bought two more rams, both sired by Nerstane 200067, for commercial use, finishing with three at an average of $6167.

"They're good sheep," he said.

Cooyal Pastoral Co was the volume buyer, taking six rams to $5000 and averaging $2833.

Weeroona Pastoral Co, Bribbaree, between Young and Temora, bought five rams to $7000, averaging $5300.

Anthony Windus, Quality Wool, Orange, bought the rams for Weeroona's commercial flock, with Weeroona manager Luke Hall also at the sale.

Mr Windus said the rams were chosen for their wool quality and size.

Weeroona bought five Laraben rams last year and was a return buyer.

"We were very happy with the results from last year's rams," he said.

B and A Wood bought five rams to $4000, averaging $3100. MJ Woods bought three to $3500, averaging $2500, and LW and SA Woods bought three at $2000 each.

AWN northern region wool manager Brett Cooper said support came from the local area as well as southern and central NSW.

"I think it was a very good solid sale," he said.

"They were very well presented sheep and they sold accordingly."

He said the volume buyers were chasing wool and frame.

"Their productivity, I think, both for meat and also for wool is probably what stood out," he said.

Laraben stud principal Gavin Swords said the team was bred for balanced, productive Poll Merinos with quality wool, sound structure, growth and constitution, and was raised under practical paddock conditions through a very dry November to May.

"Despite the challenging season, we are pleased with the way the rams have grown and developed," he said.

"Our breeding philosophy, however, remains firmly phenotype first.

"We place greatest emphasis on the sheep in front of us."

The Laraben team also performed strongly in the recently completed four-year Bookham Wether Trial, returning $48.33 a head more than the trial average.

AWN and Nutrien conducted the sale, with Andrew Carter, McDonald Lawson & Co, Mudgee, as guest auctioneer.