A MERINO ram from Marnoo’s Wallaloo Park Merino Stud has made what is believed to be a new national on-property record, selling for $52,000.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 127 kilogram April 2017-drop ram was secured by Scott Pickering of Derella Downs Merino stud in Esperance, WA.
The much talked about ram held fleece measurements of 18.9-micron fibre diametre, 2.7 standard deviation, 14 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor.
Stud co-principal Trent Carter said he was thrilled with the sale.
“We haven’t had confirmation either way to let us know whether it beat the country-wide record, but nonetheless, it’s fantastic,” he said.
“We never thought that this would be possible, with how the poll merino industry is going.
“This ram really ticked all the boxes and the buyers were very pleased.”
It was the 27th annual, on-property sale for the stud, with more than 70 registered buyers bidding on the day.
Of the 194 Poll Merino and Merino rams offered, 185 sold for an average of $3681.
“We’ve had years with higher averages, but it was a really good day overall,” he said.
“The rams that were passed over during the auction were all sold afterwards.
“Some people who turned up for the sale are in dire straights, but their outlook was extremely positive; these are people who are just passionate about the industry.”
Volume buyer was Dhuramein Nominees, Balranald, NSW, who purchased 28 rams.
The second highest price paid was $18,000, which went to Pat Millear, Stud Park South, Wilaura, Victoria. Franklin Grazing of WA purchased a ram for $14,000.
The stud will head to the Marnoo Field Day on September 20 with 60 rams for sale.