THE HULL family's Minta Merino and Poll Merino stud's 29th annual on-property auction at Mount Cooper on Thursday last week followed the strong trend of recent Eyre Peninsula ram sales, with an improved top price and higher average.
A healthy clearance rate of 80 per cent was also achieved, with 80 out of 100 rams sold.
The average of $1925 was $402 up on last year's $1523.
In the breakdown, 38 Merinos were offered and 30 sold at an average of $1656, and of 62 Poll Merinos, 50 sold at a very impressive average of $2087.
The top-price ram went at $5000 to Penong farmer Shane Trowbridge, Santrow.
The ram's fleece was 18 micron with 3.3 standard deviation, 18.2 coefficient of variation and 100 per cent comfort factor.
Mr Trowbridge also bought the $4800 second top-price ram, which measured 18.3M, 3.3SD, 18.2CV and 99.8CF.
GV Hull Nominees Pty Ltd, Port Kenny, were the major volume buyers, taking 11 to $3500.
There was strong support from across EP, with other buyers including RA&EM Carey, Poochera, five to $1200; JP Kelsh Nominees, Streaky Bay, three to $3800; PW&NM Roe, Streaky Bay, two to $3400; Koppa Rise Family Trust, Poochera, three to $3800; Westwood Pty Ltd, Wudinna, three to $4500; Nylor Park, Port Kenny, three to $900; MP&KM Tomney, Poochera, three to $1800; DH&KJ Hammatt, Smoky Bay, five to $1600; The Ten Mile, Poochera, four to $1800; Courtabie Pastoral Co, Port Kenny, four to $700; Boulder Pastoral, Port Kenny, three to $2800 and NM&DS May, Elliston, four to $2400.
Long-time client and buyer of last year's top-price ram Rod Farrow, Woolowie, Wool Bay, Yorke Peninsula, returned to buy two rams to $2800. Another regular client NA&DM Daniel, Wool Bay, bought near the top of the catalogue, taking two to $4750.
Minta's Jesse Hull said he was very happy with how the sale went.
"While we had mainly repeat buyers, we also had three new clients," he said.
"With the way the meat and wool prices are going at the moment, I think there's a lot more confidence out there."
Early growth rates and "plenty of wool cut" were two of the traits the stud focused on.
The sale was conducted by EP Livestock & Real Estate and Quality Wool, with Adam Mountjoy and Simon Seppelt auctioneers for each company respectively.
Mr Mountjoy said it was a solid sale across the board.
"It was a terrific line-up of rams, with the top-end selling exceptionally well to repeat buyers," he said.
"There was good depth of bidding from 33 registered buyers, which was encouraging to see."
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
