Buoyant local confidence at Carrabungla Merinos lifts ram sale figures
An offering of rams encouraged steady bids from a variety of operations at Carrabungla Merino and Poll Merino stud's 26th annual ram sale at Laggan.
Of the 76 rams in the catalogue, 58 were sold at an average of $2345 and to a top of $5250, with another six lots finding homes after the fall of the hammer.
Both figures were an improvement on the 2025 average of $1851 and the top of $3600, despite a slightly lower overall clearance.
The sale high was achieved by Carrabungla 27, by Roseville Park 1133, sold to Martin and Nerida Croker, Rose Vale, Fullerton, who nabbed the top-price ram for the second year running.
The 88-kilogram sire tested at an 18.5 micron, with a standard deviation of 3.1, a coefficient of variation of 17 and a comfort factor of 99.8 per cent, as well as a greasy fleece weight of 104pc.
Mr Croker said he had been buying from Carrabungla for a few years, seeking to add a bit of "weight" into his flock, with around 1200 ewes averaging a 17.2 micron and a cut just over 5kg.
A handful of quality ewes would be selected to join the new ram, though Mr Croker said the focus was still on wool.
"We've always had quite nice wool and we don't want to lose that," he said.
"We want to stay around that 17 micron, but try to have a bit more size in them."
The sale was well supported by the district and neighbours, with buyers from Laggan, Gunning, Crookwell and Goulburn.
Seven rams were sold to Bernie Byrnes, Fairview, Gunning, purchased on his behalf by the Australian Wool Network's Andrew Holgate, paying average of $2000 and no more than $3000 for the best.
Mr Holgate said they had chased sons of Carrabungla C81 and Ridgway Advance for the non-mulesed operation, aiming to inject fleece weight and carcase into the flock while keeping the breech bare.
The flock typically cut in the mid-16 micron, but the changing taste of the Italian market had opened Fairview up to a wider variety of sires, even being willing to broaden to 17 micron.
"Last year was the first time buying here, so the progeny is on the ground as we speak," he said.
"We'll keep the ball rolling and see how things track moving forward with the Carrabungla."
Kimberly Sykes, together with parents Philip and Donna, Pelican Sheep Station, Goulburn, returning to Carrabungla for a second year, secured four rams at an average of $2875 and a top of $3000.
Ms Sykes said they were searching for "bold structure", with the end of turning wethers off at 60kg carcase weight after 12 months, while still maintaining a 5.5kg minimum average wool cut at 17.8 to 18.5 micron.
The operation hosts around 1000 self-replacing Merino ewes, but also delivers first- and second-cross lambs for the export market.
"These rams suit us perfectly for that purpose," she said.
"They'll go with our younger ewes that we've already been selecting to fine up and get that heavier cutting wool.
"They'll probably go out in the next two weeks actually."
Woolcara Station, Primrose Valley, went home with six rams at an average of $1292 and paying $1500 for the best of the team.
Jevry Pty Ltd, Laggan, bought five rams, averaging $1700 and at a top of $2000.
Pictures by Dakota Tait.
Stud principal Neville McIntosh said he and sons Ben and Dean aimed to produce a "good, all-round ram" with meat and fertility, even long before the shift in the sheep market.
"We've been doing it 20 years, trying to breed sheep that grows good wool and has got a good carcase under them," he said.
"Probably been concentrating a bit more on the carcase in recent years ... just a good doing sheep, that will handle the wet weather."
The sale was conducted by AWN, with Greg Miller auctioneering.
