Wool classer returns, alongside new buyers, to select top-price ram at Niela

A client very familiar with the Niela Poll Merino wools has paid the top-price at the on-farm sale at Laggan on Saturday, November 7.

Niela's long-time wool classer Matt Nagle, Crooked Corner, paid the $4200 top price for Niela 88, which was sired by Ridgway Advance 1422.

All up, the stud sold 34 of the 40 fine wool rams offered in the Helmsman auction to average $1476.

Mr Nagle's purchase weighed 90 kilograms and had a 16.7-micron fleece, a 14.4 coefficient of variation and a comfort factor of 99.7 per cent.

The stud described the ram as "Very meaty right through", while carrying a "nicely crimped fleece".

Mr Nagle said the ram was well grown, with nice wool and a good shape, and would continue the same type through his own flock.

"It's nice white wool, plenty of it too," he said.

Mr Nagle also bought a second ram, sired by Stockton Henry, for $1200.

Mr Nagle runs a self-replacing flock at Crooked Corner, aiming for 17 to 19-micron wool, and sells his wethers locally.

He said it had been a good spring, with plenty of grass on hand. He budgets for two rams most years and has classed the Niela clip for years.

First-time buyer Chris Grant, CG Grant, Braidwood, paid the second top price of $3000 for Niela 45, a 17.5-micron ram by a Niela sire. He also bought a second Niela-sired ram for $1200.

Mr Grant said the crimp definition, staple length and frame of the ram stood out. He hopes it will bring that extra definition and frame to his flock while keeping an even line of sheep.

He wanted a Poll Merino stud, so he researched breeders in the region before coming to Niela.

He said he found the Niela sheep to be dual-purpose, and their micron close to the 17.5 to 18.5-micron he breeds.

Mr Grant has cut his flock to 300, down from between 1500 and 1800 head a decade ago, which he linked to wool prices.

Steve and Kellie Hogan, Hogan Pastoral, were again the volume buyers, taking 15 rams to a top of $1800.

Rams sold to return buyers as well as new clients from the district and from Yass, Gundaroo, Braidwood, Gunning and Bigga.

Niela stud principal Tony McGaw, who owns the stud with his wife Di, said the rams presented well on the day, with plenty of reasonably-priced commercial sires available.

The sale was conducted by AWN's northern wool manager Mark Hedley and sheep and wool specialist Andrew Holgate, with Mr Hedley auctioneering.