A vintage week for Pomanara with 1PPs and an annual superfine ram sale

In a week that began with its first ever 1PP wool classification in Sydney, Pomanara Merino Stud held its 39th annual superfine ram sale on-property at Sallys Flat, via Mudgee, on Friday, November 6.

Principals Geoff and Robyn Rayner welcomed new and old clients to their catalogue of 32 rams, which wrapped up with 22 sold, an average price of $1582, and a top price of $3800, achieved for lot 11, tag number 692.

The October-drop ram had a superfine measurement of 16.9 micron, with a standard deviation of 2.5, coefficient of variation at 15.1 and comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.

The ram was by Muz, a prominent Pomanara stud sire, and was bought by repeat client Kerry Johns, Trunkey Creek.

"You could have bought these sheep with your eyes closed," Marcus Schembri, Nutrien Harcourt Bathurst, said.

"People don't realise the size that Geoff has put into them, but they've kept all the wool trades the same and they're cutting bigger, bulkier fleeces.

"These rams were a credit to him. He does a fantastic job with the breed."

Mr Rayner's wool had earlier in the week received the rare distinction of 1PP classifications on three individual bales at Yennora, the first time Pomanara ever achieved the feat and one of the last times it sold in Sydney before the selling centre's relocation to Goulburn.

Mr Rayner said it was a long time since paddock wool had earned the feat.

"Here in the Mudgee area, it would be 34 years since paddock-run sheep got a 1PP," he said.

"It has taken me nearly a lifetime to achieve it."

The rare distinction drew new buyer William Heat, Heat Grazing, Jerrawa, to the Pomanara sale, where he was the catalogue's volume buyer of five lots for an average of $1680.

"It was really nice to see new faces in the crowd, and for Heat Grazing to step up for five was fantastic," Mr Schembri said.

"A few of the existing clients didn't need rams this year, but the new clients made for some positive talk and a few people came out for a look for the first time, which was pleasing.

"The quality of the sheep were excellent and sometimes with those buyers who get in early in the season and buy up because they think they'll miss out, they don't know what's on their doorstep here."

For Mr Rayner, the sale's results, with top price bettering its 2025 equivalent, added to an extraordinary run through 2026.

At Sydney Royal earlier in the year, Pomanara won Champion Ultrafine March Shorn Wool Merino Ram, along with Grand Champion Ultrafine Wool Merino Ram.

It also won Champion Ultrafine Wool March Shorn Ram at the Great Southern Supreme Merino (GSSM) event, and Reserve Champion in the equivalent ewe class.

These results propped up a list of top regional wins at Bathurst, Mudgee and Orange shows.

"It's been the best year I've ever had in my wool-growing and ram-breeding career," Mr Rayner said.

"When I first left school, I read a book at TAFE Bathurst that was written by Sir Walter Merriman with a quote in it.

"It said, 'If you get a picture of a sheep in your head that you want to breed, it will take a lifetime to do it', and I think I've just about achieved it at the age of 67, which is nearly a lifetime."

Mr Rayner said he was also happy with the line-up of rams.

"I have faith in the sheep, and all my existing clients just keep coming back because we're giving them results," he said.

"Everyone thought the wool was fantastic today and that they'd go a long way to find better, and they were quite happy with what they were able to buy for the price.

"A lot of our buyers reckoned they got very good value for money."

The Pomanara sale was conducted by Nutrien Livestock Bathurst with Marcus Schembri auctioneering.