KANIVA’S Hannaton Merinos broke its own records at its ram sale on Monday.
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A total of 115 rams were sold from 130 offered for a best-ever average of $2304.
Principal Jonno Hicks said it was the biggest number of rams the stud had ever offered.
“We sold 10 more rams this year than last and had out biggest sale total too, up by about $300 from last year, so it’s a fantastic result for us”, he said.
“It is probably reflective of how strong the industry is going and the confidence buyers have in our sheep.”
Goroke brothers Bryce and Grant Hausler bought the most expensive ram on the day for $5750.
The day’s record-topper weighed 106kg with 18.8 micron fleece. Bryce Hausler said they had bought a ram from the stud at Sheepvention in August.
“We liked the look of this ram and the style of its wool,” he said.
All up, the Hauslers bought three rams from the stud.
The stud’s charity ram was bought for $2500 by Anthony Evans of Willaura. Profits will be donated to Drought Angels.
Mr Hicks said the stud had donated money from sales to various charities for more than a decade.
“We have been able to donate more than $20,000 and support a number of different causes,” he said.
“Our clients have been very generous in the past by bidding up on the charity rams.”
He said he was impressed by the turnout of buyers at the sale.
“We had more than 40 registered buyers from three states,” he said.
“It’s great to know that we have support from a whole range of different regions – they come from the middle of New South Wales, through to eastern Victoria and into South Australia.
“We’re delighted by the support of our clients and the confidence in our business which is really built on repeat buyers. We’ve had buyers who have been buying rams for 40 years.”
He said there had been noticeable shift in the market.
“There are a lot of folks coming back into the market for sheep and a lot of people increasing their numbers at the moment too while they're so profitable,” he said.
“A lot are holding on to their older ewes and are breeding them, especially since there’s a lack of ewe numbers around. There are a lot of ewes dying in areas affected by drought.”
He said he was positive about the next twelve months.
“The wool market looks very strong into the future – there’s just not that supply there to keep up with the demand,” he said.
“Also, the mutton and lamb industry is really good at the moment, so it’s a perfect storm really for merino sheep.”
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