Investment in quality sires has paid off for North Cowie Merino and Poll Merino stud, the larger line of rams boosted the sale average by $300 at their annual Warooka sale yesterday,
In the main sale, 52 out of 63 rams were sold averaging $1977 with plenty of locals interested in the quality at the top of the range.
Having attended all 31 of North Cowie’s sales, the Pointer family, Ballater, Curramulka, purchased the top Poll of the day for $4600, a 107 kilogram son of NC1349 that dropped in April/May last year.
The ram boasted a fleece with 21.8 micron, 3.2 standard deviation, 14.7 coefficient of variation and 120 per cent greasy fleece weight. Eye muscle depth was at 37.2 millimetres and fat depth of 6.5mm.
John Pointer said the “well structured ram showed a well nourished wool on a good frame”, and will be used for self replacement in their Merino flock.
Stud co-principal Joseph Murdoch said the rams “presented really well” with the overall size of the rams being 10kg heavier than last year.
Once again, Phil and Sandy Gutschke, Yorketown, invested in the top Merino of the day, picked for his “structure, deep crimped wool and greasy fleece weight”.
The 104kg ram was sired by NC5.01, with 35.5mm eye muscle depth, 5.4mm fat depth, a 121pc greasy fleece weight, 20.4 micron, 2.4 standard deviation, 99.7pc comfort factor and 14.7 coefficient of variation.
In the mini auction, the Hilder family, Wirryicka Pastoral, Broken Hill, NSW, were the volume buyers taking home 19 at a $605 average, to add to eight rams bought in the main sale averaging $787.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Landmark with Landmark’s Leo Redden and Alistair Keller sharing the duties with Elders Tom Penna.