Top price doubles at Conrayn Merinos ram sale thanks to spirited bidding
Woolgrowers wanting to top up their supply of superfine sires offered strong support at Conrayn Merino and Poll Merino stud's 2026 ram sale at Berridale on Wednesday, October 21.
Of the 80 lots offered in the helmsman sale, 53 were sold to average of $2005 and to a top of $9000 for Conrayn B44, by Rockbank Blue out of a Conrayn stud ewe.
The clearance was similar to last year's sale, although the average was up on 2025's $1597 and more than doubled the top price of $4250.
Competitive bidding drove up the price for the top ram, which eventually landed with Michael, Brett and Aaron McDonald, Oakvale and Elmgrove, Williamsdale.
The two-year-old ram tested for a fibre diameter of 16.1 micron, with a standard deviation of 2.4, a coefficient of variation of 14.9 and a comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.
The McDonalds' superfine operation had more than 5000 head, including 2000 ewes lambing now, with this year's clip averaging 16.2 micron and cutting about 4.5 kilograms or better.
Michael McDonald said it was the figures behind the top-priced ram that had the family determined to go home with him.
"We breed our own rams ... everything's just bred for ourselves, and he suits the criteria for that type of sheep we want," he said.
"They're also a nice big sheep. Today, you've sort of got to look at the meat market as well."
The wether job had been "unreal", as had the season, which had been to the benefit of the grazing wheat and canola crops across the 1600 hectares.
Mr McDonald said the family had been sourcing genetics from Conrayn for decades, as well as from Grathlyn and Merryville, where the McDonalds were also the top-priced buyers in September.
The Dawe family, Karoola, Young, bought eight rams, including one after the fall of the hammer, at an average of $1312 and paying a high of $1750.
Phillip Dawe said the main thing they were looking for the lineup was "gorgeous wool" to suit their 18-micron flock.
It was the family's second time at Conrayn and the first in a few years, but Mr Dawe said the rams were "all pretty good".
"Just trying to keep that nice, really well-nourished wool," he said.
"I don't mean to be biased, but I like to think we've got to pick the best out of studs we get rams from, and you don't really have to pick the best out of here."
The Dawes were running less ewes than usual after offloading during a dry turn earlier in the year, but the new rams were likely to be joined next year.
Mr Dawe said the family were woolgrowers primarily, but the wether job had also been strong.
"When you can grow a good Merino wether lamb, they're a bit tastier and a bit better, I think," he said.
"Probably not as quick growing, but that's why you buy the right genetics and try to keep size in them."
Glenavon Pastoral Co, Bendoc, Vic, went home with six rams averaging $2125 and paying no more than $4000 for a single lot.
GC and VJ Reichstein, Reefton, bought five rams at an average of $2400 and also paid a top of $4000.
Pictures by Dakota Tait.
Stud principal Peter Lette said the breeding operation wanted to produce superfine sires with frame, cut and "nice, white, bubbly wool".
The season had been "pretty tough" before the sale, with little in the way of rain from March until early October, but he said he was "really happy" with how the rams had made it through winter.
"The rams have been running on a bit of oats crop, and they've come through really well," he said.
"They're 12, 13 months old, heaviest in the draft's 107kg, the whole draft's averaged about 90kg."
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Stud Stock, with Rick Power hosting the helmsman auction.
