LODDON farmers led the way at last Friday’s annual ram sale at Kedleston Park that had a near-full clearance as 40 rams went under the hammer.
Raywood farmer Garry Griffin  was one of two buyers to pay the top auction price of $4000.
Auctioneers sold 33 of 40 rams under the hammer and another three privately within minutes of the Calivil sale ending. The sale average was $2371, just $400 below the 2024 average when lot one sold for $20,000.
Mr Griffin made just one purchase at this year’s sale. “He filled the pen ... good body weight, stocky and heavier than average,” Mr Griffin said of the 18.4 micron ram.
He will use the ram in his self-replacing Merino flock program at Raywood where he runs 2000 ewes.
A committed Merino farmer, Mr Griffin said the current number of sheep in Australia needed to more than double to 160 million.
“There are results out there at the moment ... I sold ewes for $240 at Bendigo a few weeks ago and I like to be growing good wool too,” said Mr Griffin.
“I was a shearer for 40 years and wool prices are lifting, even if a bit slowly.”
Among volume buyers were John Tonkin of Wedderburn, the Isaacs of Powlett and Tanwood Park of Avoca.
Mr Humber said he was pleased with the clearance rate at the sale.
“We have had a few new buyers this year, joining many returning bidders from across central Victoria,” Mr Humbert said.
“The average price was pretty close to last year and considering the challenges of the season, that is a good outcome.”