Ramsgate Poll Merino stud marks end of era with exceptional dispersal

Buyers from four states swarmed around high-indexing stud ewes at Ramsgate Poll Merino stud's dispersal sale at Tintinara, with a pen of 2023 drops fetching an astounding $720.

Earlier in the year, Jed and Craig Keller and their families put their stud up for sale as a going concern after announcing they were retiring from farming.

After being unable to strike a deal for the entire flock they opted for a dispersal sale to mark the end of nearly 20 years of stud breeding.

It proved a big success with the 3536 head, including stud ewes, ewe and ram lambs, stud sires and 1000 head commercial flock, grossing $1.28 million.

The stud ewes were classed up into their 2020 to 2025 drop age groups and wool types and were offered in pens of about 20 head. All of the ewes were DNA tested and came with a comprehensive set of Australian Sheep Breeding Values.

These 1377 mature ewes averaged $433. The 635 ewe lambs- offered in sire lines of 25 to 45 head- averaged $308.

Six SA studs were successful including SWM stud, Tintinara, which bought the highest priced 2025 drops and 2024 drops- both at $660.

SWM stud principal Richard Harkness said the price was more than he expected to pay but opportunities to buy such high indexing ewes did not come along often.

"The ASBVs were very good and the value is in the age of the sheep- they were top of the wozza and will complement our sheep nicely," he said.

The sale high came later at lot 19 with Bullen Livestock Agents snapping up 25 3.5 year old ewes for $720 through AuctionsPlus.

The Wagga Wagga, NSW, based agent bought the ewes for client CK Dunn.

The nearly 85 kilogram ewes were in the top end on performance figures with an average Sustainable Merino Index of 159.49.

With a relatively small crowd it was the 209 online bids which made a big difference to the result. Twelve bidders on AuctionsPlus were successful on 38 lots.

Commercial buyers also saw value in the stud sheep including the Schumacher and Rowe families, Coolala Ag, Streaky Bay.

They also bought five pens of ewe lambs, including 25 AI-bred daughters of Willera 211112, at $380.

SWM also secured two pens of ewe lambs for the same money. They were 40kg and 43kg.

Whittenbury Ag's David Whittenbury, who bid on their behalf, said they had been buying rams from Ramsgate and SWM studs for some time and were impressed by the genetic progress they were making in their flock.

"They took this opportunity to buy sheep that were at where they want to be." he said.

The specially selected ram lambs, which were still woolly, provided one of the sale highlights.

A pen of three sons of Ramsgate 220578 made $2500 each.

Ramsgate 220578 was the highest priced of seven stud sires selling for $5000 to Challara stud, Dandaragan, WA, who also bought several pens of stud ewes.

The 261 ram lambs averaged $571.

The 705 commercial ewes topped at $385 for 146 2025 drops which were knocked down to Spence Dix & Co account Zacker Pastoral, Tintinara.

The 312 ewe lambs topped at $230 and averaged $213.

Stud principals Craig and Jed Keller were very happy with the result.

"We were very pleased by the presence of our fellow comrades in the Merino industry backing what we have been doing and buying some of our genetics," Craig said.

"It gives us a bit of validation in what we have been doing and a good feeling that in time we will be able to follow where the genetics have gone," he said.

Jed also thanked their clients and said it was pleasing to see some studs get "reasonable sized parcels" which would give their clients options buying rams into the future.

"It has been enjoyable breeding stud sheep. A couple of times last night and today it hit home that this is it and potentially I got a bit emotional but it didn't last long which indicates that I am probably happy to move on."

Mr Whittenbury said the result was an "excellent reward" for all the time and funds the Keller family have invested into the Ramsgate stud.

"From a sheep value point of view it was in line with the rest of the spring sales factoring in the premiums expected for classed in genetics and ASBVs and genomics," he said.

"A lot of studs which have bought rams from Ramsgate operated here today buying ewes - it was a great opportunity that people have taken to bolster their futures."

Elders auctioneer Laryn Gogel described it as a "hugely successful day".

"To get 2023 drop ewes making $720 and to get the clearance and averages we have had is huge," he said.

The sale was conducted by Elders and Whittenbury Ag.