Shearing costs drive strong demand for Brendarey's Australian White rams

Low-maintenance genetics proved the ultimate selling point as commercial producers switching away from traditional wool breeds underpinned a strong clearance at Brendarey Australian White stud's fifth annual ram sale.

The Donald stud sold 37 of 48 Australian White rams on Friday to a top price of $3000 and an average of $1675.

The clearance improved year-on-year after the stud sold 22 of 41 rams at its October 2025 sale to a top price of $3600.

Brendarey stud principals David and Carey Brennan said buyers came from across the state, including the western district and Gippsland.

Mrs Brennan said the result reflected continued confidence in the breed's performance and the family's seedstock operation.

The top-priced 100-kilogram, August 2025-drop ram, Lot 14, 250079AI, sold for $3000 and was purchased by repeat buyers Robin and Linda Koop, Nurcoung.

The Koops run a mixed-farming operation and delved into Australian Whites about six years ago.

Mr Koop said the ram would be joined to their 600-ewe flock in mid-February.

"We still run Merinos, but we find it hard to get shearers and I had first-cross Suffolks in the past," he said.

"It was costing us more to shear than the wool was worth for Suffolks and that's what led us to Aussie Whites."

Mr Koop first saw the ram at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show at Bendigo in July, where it won the ram under 1.5 years class.

Mrs Brennan said the ram had since developed into an impressive sire prospect, combining strong muscling, excellent shedding ability and very good feet.

"He reflects the influence of his sire, Tattykeel 230625, and the emphasis Brendarey places on productive, functional sheep," she said.

Among the volume buyers was Simon and Susan McKenry, Toolondo, who purchased eight rams to a top price of $2000.

"We run a grain operation with sheep on the side and swapped over to the Aussie Whites a few years ago and haven't looked back," Mr McKenry said.

"We were buying first-cross ewes previously and I did pay nearly $400 for 1.5-year-old ewes a few years ago, and that's part of the reason we went to the Aussie Whites, along with costs associated with shearing.

"Cropping is our main focus, but we wanted something that was low maintenance and we really enjoy being able to retain our own ewes."

Mr Brennan said the pair had bred Australian Whites since 2014, steadily investing in leading genetics to improve carcase size, feet and shedding ability across both their stud and commercial flocks.

He said the stud's focus remained on breeding Australian Whites that delivered results in the paddock, combining shedding characteristics that reduced wool-related work with structural soundness and carcase attributes commercial producers demanded.

"Our predominantly cropping operation is a natural fit for the breed," he said.

"Lambing is split into two periods to work around cropping and harvest commitments, the sheep thrive on grazing on stubbles.

"Due to a great year with feed from the above-average rainfall this year, the rams look good, probably the best we have produced so far."

Nutrien Birchip livestock manager Shan Coffey said the clearance rate was the highlight of the sale.

"We had repeat buyers from around the Horsham area who were very strong, and we actually have a ram going as far as Bairnsdale," Mr Coffey said.

"Rams are also headed to Boort, Kerang and Nhill."