*102 of 108 sold to $11,500, av $3862
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POLL Merino rams averaged a whopping $5100 at Glenpaen Merino and Poll Merino 25th on-property sale on Friday, as confidence in the wool market translated to a jump of $800 on last year's sale average.
It was a bumper sale on behalf of Rod and Sue and Harry Miller, who were "blown away" with 102 of 108 rams offered sold to a top price of $11,500.
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Competition on the poll rams attracted the most interest, including the top price paid by Somhill Mellis Pty Ltd, Warracknabeal, for lot nine. In total the 45-head Poll Merino draft av $5100, while the 57 horned rams av $2885.
The top ram was lot nine, a poll ram by Glenpaen Romeo - grand champion fine-medium ram at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in 2019 - (and grand-sire Willandra GP son), who had figures of 16.1 micron, standard deviation (SD) of 3.4 per cent, co-efficient variation (CV) of 21.1pc and comfort factor (CF) of 99.3pc. He was one of four rams purchased by Somhill Mellis, av $6625.
Fleece data and ongoing performance lured clients to the auction, with three new buyers and 32 return clients bidding at the sale.
"We are known for that good body and frame, without jeopardising wool cut," Mr Miller said.
"Clients say their sheep are getting finer while cutting more wool and increasing lambing percentages - micron is king at the moment so that is helping us along.
"The poll genetics are getting better and better all the time. We just don't need horns for animal handling and husbandry."
The second highest price of $10,500 was set twice, paid for lot 5 and 12, with the latter of the two rams purchased by account GK & LE Sambell, which av $8500.
Lot 12 was a son of Glenpaen 55 (grand-dam Charinga) and had a micron of 18.2, an SD of 2.9pc, a CV of 15.9pc and a CF of 99.8pc.
He's equal valued paddock mate, lot 5, was by a Willandra White 13 and had a micron of 16.2, an SD of 2.5pc, a CV of 15.4pc and a CF of 99.8pc.
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The ram was one of two purchased by Rod Marshall, Pomonal, and included lot 16, a son of Snowvale for $9000, who recorded a micron of 18.6, an Sd of 2.5pc, a CV of 13.4pc and a CF of 99.7pc.
Volume buyers at the sale were new clients Banongill South, Skipton, who paid to a top of $6500, for a draft of 13 rams which av $4000.
The top of their draft was lot 42, by Supreme Merino exhibit at ASWS 2019, Glenpaen Patriot, (grand-sire Glenpaen Magic), who recorded a 17.7 micron, with an SD of 2.8pc, CV of 15.6pc and a CF of 99.5pc.
Other volume buyers at the sale included Gorlona Pty Ltd, Glenisla, who purchased seven rams to a top of $5000, av $3000, and MJ & LA Sudholz, Natimuk, who also bought seven to $5500, av $2642.
AD & GL Grimble, Brimpaen, put together a draft of seven rams which topped at $2500, av $1786.
Mr Miller said the stud would aim to offer more rams in the coming years, "to pull that average back".
"We have a fair bit of work ahead of us putting more rams up but that won't happen overnight as we don't want to lower our standards," he said.
"We had long-time clients who went home without a ram, which is concerning and we will rectify that with more affordable rams."
Glenpaen recently purchased an "all rounder" Terrick West Poll Merino ram for $30,000 - a super sire with "muscle, fat and doing ability".
"I think we have our wool right and cutting weight. I am concerned the way the industry is heading with everyone chasing fat and muscle and forgetting about the structural correctness of the sheep.
"But this fat and muscle train that everyone is on will make us breed better doing sheep, which is what Merinos lack."
Elders livestock auctioneer Ross Milne said it was a very solid sale that attracted buyers from within 200kms of the Western District based stud.
"The strong demand for Glenpaen's poll genetics was very good, with the average price of a ram $5100," Mr Milne said.
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