BIDS have flown at Merino ram sales across the state with spectacular results.
The majority of studs have either held their $1600 to $1800 average from 2012 while those with slightly lower averages have seen price lifts up to $200.
The effort many breeders have gone to put their sheep in front of other producers around Australia at Hay, Bendigo, Hamilton and Dubbo is being rewarded with strong demand in SA Poll Merinos and near total clearances at sales.
Some of the top performers in the Mid North all held on-property sales last week to strong demand.
In their main auctions, Leahcim at Snowtown sold 182 of 197 rams to a $5000 high and $1881 average; North Ashrose, Gulnare averaged $1845 and topped at $7000 for 160 rams and East Bungaree, Hallett, sold all 108 rams to a $4400 high and $1718 average.
At its inaugural northern ram sale, Moorundie Park, Gulnare, sold 180 rams to a $6500 high and $1428 average.
These results have topped off a sensational Adelaide Merino ram sale where 104 of 114 Merino and Poll Merino rams topped at $34,000 and averaged $7223.
Buyers came from five states of Australia and there were export orders from South America.
Landmark stud stock manager Malcolm Scroop rates it as one of the best-selling seasons he can remember.
"Many of the Merino ram sales have been as good or better than they have ever been," he said.
"We have had a strong season and wool prices have been escalating strongly in the past couple of months."
Buyers were prepared to pay more for the rams, but they were also becoming more discerning and knew the traits they were looking for in their breeding programs.
"They are leaning towards sheep with estimated breeding values and using it with visual selection," Mr Scroop said.
Elders SA stud stock marketing manager Tom Penna said sale averages were tracking the price of a bale of wool around $1500 to $1600.
"It has been par from the course for the past two years. We are seeing a swing back to producers putting Merinos back to Merinos to breed more Merino ewes," he said.
"Bidding has been very brisk, almost electric, with three, four and five people bidding on multiple lots."
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 26 issue, 2013.
