SALE SUMMARY
2016 2015
Offered 90 90
Sold 88 86
Top $8750 $3200
Av $1665 $1347
A record on-property price of $8750 for Lot 1 set the tone for a terrific sale at Gunallo Poll Merino and Merino Stud, Pinnaroo.
The sale average reached $1665, a $318 rise from the $1347 average in 2015, with 88 rams sold from 90 offered in the main auction.
Gunallo stud principals Ray and Brad Schroeder were “over the moon” with the result.
“The result was absolutely fantastic,” Ray said.
“It was exactly what we were hoping for.”
A strong contingent of local buyers from the Mallee and Western Vic, plus stud clients and bidders from WA ensured there was healthy competition through the entire catalogue.
The sale got off to a cracking start, with Glen Farr, Loxton, winning the bidding war for Lot 1 which attracted $8750.
Boasting fleece figures of 19.5 micron, 2.4 standard deviation, 12.3 coefficient of variation and 99.8 per cent comfort factor, the 112 kilogram twin ram from sire Leachim 2918 was a Gunallo favourite.
“It has absolutely elite wool and its structure is fantastic,” Ray said.
“He ticks a lot of boxes.”
Buyer Mr Farr is a commercial breeder and said he would join the ram – his sole purchase at the sale – to a mob of elite ewes.
“It’s an all-round sheep,” he said.
“Frame, wool cut, quality of wool and it’s structurally correct.”
It was Mr Farr’s second year buying at Gunallo and he said wool quality on a big frame was what lured him to the stud.
Those qualities were also what attracted stud buyers Hansie Graetz, Pepper Well, Keyneton, and Brenton Smith, Calcookara, Cowell, who co-bought the second highest price ram for $6800.
The 129kg beast was sired by Gunallo 55 Lustre and had fleece figures of 17.3m, 2.4SD, 13.9CV and 99.9pc CF.
Mr Schroeder said studs buying at the top end of the catalogue and a host of new buyers, including Parakeelya Merino Stud, Beacon, WA, contributed to the excellent sale.
The volume buyer was Marra Farms, Netherby, Vic, who took 11 rams to $2400 at an average of $1854.
Other bulk buyers included Blairgowie Trust, Ararat, Vic, who bought 9 to $2100, averaging $1467, and HA&MG McArthur, Glencoe Station, Hattah, Vic, who took six rams to $900, averaging $817.
Craig Smith, Yanac, Vic, took five rams to $1000, at an average of $880, while SN&GP Brophy took four to $2400, averaging $1900.
JG Richards & Sons, Murray Bridge, took four to $2000, averaging $1650, and HJ Sheldon, Pinnaroo, bought four to $1300, averaging $1125.
Landmark auctioneer Leo Redden said the sale struck a perfect balance between vendor and purchaser.
“There was top front row sheep making between $3000-$8000 and then commercial buyers were able to access rams at $700-$1000,” he said.
“Both vendor and purchaser would be very happy with the balance of the sale.”
Mr Redden said there was a distinguishable Gunallo feel in the sale lineup.
“It’s a great example of easy care, bold modern wools and there’s a true Gunallo type right through the sale.”
Landmark and Elders conducted the sale, with Landmark’s Leo Redden and Richard Miller taking the bids.