KEITH’S Moorundie Poll Merino stud continued its midas touch at Hamilton Sheepvention, topping the Vic multi-vendor sale for the third year in a row.
The 18.3 micron ram- Lot 95- which sold for $20,000, is heading back to SA to respected commercial flocks, Warrawee Park and Makin Nominees, also at Keith.
They will share possession of the top sire prospect and collect semen to breed rams for their own use.
Interestingly the ram, offered by Geoff and Bernadette Davidson, was a son of Moorundie NE73 – the 2016 sale topper at $30,000.
Mr Davidson said it was nice to see NE73’s progeny breed on, noting at least 10 sons at five studs’ displays at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, in Bendigo, Vic, last month.
“Most studs that have used him have bred a sire for themselves,” he said.
Mr Davidson described the 2018 sale topper as a “modern Merino.”
“He has a lot of wool on a plain body and he carries a bit of fat which is important for those breeding ewes and very good feet and structure – all that added up to him being a safe ram,” he said.
Moorundie’s two pens of five rams averaged $4600 and $9600 respectively.
The Sheepvention sale posted a record result with 261 of 290 Merino, Corriedale and Prime SAMM rams averaging $3674 – up $404 on 2017.
SA studs provided most of the highlights selling eight of the rams to make $10,000 or more.