SALE SUMMARY
2018 2017
Offered 186 185
Sold 183 185
Top $18,000 $13,000
Av $2436 $2951
HORNED rams maintained their strong following at White River Merino and Poll Merino stud’s 39th annual sale last week at Poochera, producing many of the sale highlights, including the $18,000 sale topper.
Despite the difficult season stud principals John and Marg, Wes and Jacqui Daniell penned a magnificent line-up of growthy, heavy cutting rams, which sold to four states.
In the breakdown 183 of 186 rams found new homes amongst the 48 registered buyers and averaged an impressive $2436.
This average was back $515 on last year’s record average, but still extremely good in such a dry season.
Only 20 of the offering received extra preparation for showing and display purposes, yet the bodyweights of well above 100 kilograms were throughout the catalogue.
Lot 8- the first Merino ram offered- created plenty of interest and the sale’s $18,000 top price.
The 19.3 micron ram, sired by the homebred W750 had a magnificent covering of medium wool which tested well, including a 2.4 standard deviation, 12.4 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor.
It was described by John Daniell as the best woolled ram they had offered.
Paul Cousins, Cousins Merino Services, Burra, did the phone bidding for buyer Scott Crosby, Rossden Partners, St Quentin stud, Nyabing, WA, with Shane Mackin, Kamballie stud, Tammin, WA buying a semen share.
Pushing them all the way was long-time clients the Lindner family, Wonga Pastoral, Morgan. who secured the next lot, a 145kg Venus 55 son for $9000.
The sale’s second top price was $9250, paid by Bill Carey, Parla Park, Streaky Bay for another Venus 55 son at lot 10.
Nick Lienert, Oak Farms stud, Kimba, bought two 21 micron polls for $5000 each and then added a top W750 sired Merino at $4200
Through trending demand, the Poll Merinos have come to be the most prominent in number at this sale, but the horned rams still have a strong following with many long-term White River clients.
Overall 109 of 110 Poll Merinos averaged $2343 while 74 of 76 Merinos averaged $2574.
Poll Merino rams topped at $6000 twice, both Moorundie NE8 sons.
The first was Lot 1 bought by Bill Ryan, Curragh, Oakley, NSW, while Paul Carey, Talieka Pastoral, Streaky Bay went to $6000 to buy a bright, nourished and heavy cutting 22 micron wool at lot 3
Jim and Jay Fischer, Yanac, Vic, made a big impact on the sale buying nine Merinos at a $2422 average for themselves, but also bought three Merinos and one Poll Merino for near neighbours and new White River client Roy Dickinson, plus 20 Poll Merinos at a $2170 average for Darren Rethus, West Wimmera Beef.
The biggest volume buyer was again Peter Reynolds, Lairg Station, Sheringa. Peter Reynolds who secured 29 rams to $1800 averaging $1383.
Les and Josh Williams, Elliston, made the most of the value buying with 10 rams at a $1620 average, while the Docking family, Edge Blue, Pt Lincoln and Medobank, Pt Augusta, each bought seven rams at $1400 and $888 averages respectively.
Adam Desmazures, Newton Pastoral, Tintinara, bought 10 rams averaging $2450.
The Daniell family was delighted with the result and were especially thankful for the strong support from their many loyal clients who keep coming back.
They also thanked the generosity of those present who donated $900 for the McGrath Foundation as a result of the ‘gold coin’ luncheon provided by the ladies from the Karcultaby School parents and friends group. White River has now donated $6600 to this great cause from lunches over the last 10 years.