THE scene is set for a tremendous Merino ram selling season in SA amid the backdrop of a strong season and confidence in the lamb markets.
Many are hoping for a lift in wool prices after the mid-year break but the medium wools which SA is renowned for have held up much better than the superfine wool categories, and the Eastern Market Indicator is well above the long-term average.
Last year, most on-property sale averages were in the $1600 to $1800 bracket, lifting $200 on the previous year. Agents are expecting a similar result, if not an increase.
Those looking for Merino rams will be spoilt for choice, with nearly 90 sales from now until the first week of October.
It includes one new addition to the calendar - Rices Creek stud will hold a sale at Saddleworth on September 2 along with its Tintinara sale each August.
More than 100 rams have been catalogued by SA, Vic and NSW studs for the Adelaide Ram Sale, and the Classings Classic sale at Murray Bridge just a few days earlier will see similar numbers of top-quality rams.
Merino SA president Peter Meyer said the Adelaide Ram Sale had cemented itself as the "premier sale in Australia".
"The standard will be as high or higher than the previous year," he said.
"There will be a great selection of stud sire prospects for all purposes.
"The SA Merino is being sought after from all states, and overseas, for its genetic superiority, offering both meat and wool, size and structure."
Elders SA stud stock marketing manager Tom Penna expected that at the very least, on-property sale averages would be the same as last year but said that with the exceptional season, he would not be surprised if some sales were at least $100 dearer.
Landmark Merino specialist Malcolm Scroop agreed the outlook was very positive.
"The season is quite unique - everyone has more lambs than last year, their sheep are doing very well, and the season holds a lot of potential," he said.
* Full report in Stock Journal, July 24, 2014 issue.