Agriculture
1 October, 2024
Local ram sale season has its highs
By CHRIS EARL LODDON Merino studs have been beacons in a tough ram sale season across Victoria and South Australia. While clearance rates were hit as some farmers adjust breeding programs amid the green drought in Western Victoria and with an eye on...
By CHRIS EARL
LODDON Merino studs have been beacons in a tough ram sale season across Victoria and South Australia.
While clearance rates were hit as some farmers adjust breeding programs amid the green drought in Western Victoria and with an eye on the sky for needed rain, local studs this year again attracted strong interest.
A record number of bidders registered for the Kerrilyn ram sale at Norm Weir’s Dunluce property while Erroll Hay last week bucked the trend of lower clearance rates when 90 per cent of rams offered were sold under the hammer Kamarooka Park.
The clearance rate increased for Kerilyn while John Humbert’s Kedleston Park had a big jump compared with last year. Mr Humbert reduced his offering in 2024 and achieved an 80 per cent clearance early in the local selling season.
Local ram sales also saw increased interest from south-east South Australia with the major buyers out in force at Willera Merinos.
Potential buyers again used the July’s Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo to view rams that were to be later auctioned.
Some buyers attended Loddon sales while others used the online AuctionPlus to pick up rams for the breeding and flock replacement programs.,
The McGauchie’s Terrick West stud had the season’s top price of $10,000, just weeks after topping the auction at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show where one of the stud’s champion rams sold for $25,000.
Stud principal Ross McGauchie said the current market conditions had pointed to the possibility of lower averages. “But the interest was there (at our sale) to start the sale season and we are happy with the result ... the first 20 rams offered in particular.”
Meanwhile, Panorama Poll Merino Stud at Mysia has opted for private sales only for a second year.
Despite early sale season hesitation AuctionsPlus said there had been strong demand on its platform, with sales reflecting both high buyer interest and impressive prices.