SALE SUMMARY
2019 2018
Offered 50 66
Sold 42 36
Top $5000 $2400(x2)
Av $2102 $1442
The absence of a few long-term station buyers did not hinder the result at the Callowie Poll Merino annual on-property sale on Monday, with the sale averaging $2102, a significant improvement on last year's average of $1442.
The Halliday family sold 42 of 50 rams offered to a top of $5000, and welcomed four new buyers on the day, who all made purchases.
The top-price ram, lot 3, sold for $5000 to long-term clients Ben and Tracie Dunstall, Cove Station, Kaniva, Vic.
The 20.7 micron ram had impressive fleece tests including 3.1 standard deviation, 15 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor, and was described by stud principal Richard Halliday as "eye-catching".
"It has rich, well-nourished wool, and it attracted lots of favourable comments at (the South East Merino Field Day at Keith) this year," he said.
Cove Station bought eight rams, while fellow long-term client CJ&DG MacKereth, Kingston SE, took home seven rams.
RELATED READING: First-time buyer takes $4000 top ram at Pepper Well
Other multiple buyers included Bruce Bridgart, Wynarka, who bought six rams, as well as new clients Anthony Honeyman, Nhill, Vic, and DL&LD Vivian, Kaniva, Vic, who bought six and five rams respectively.
Landmark conducted the sale, and auctioneer Richard Miller commended the stud on its even lineup of big carcase Merino rams, which attracted fierce bidding at the top end.
"The sale was a classic case of existing clientele mixed in with new buyers who kicked the sale along," he said.
"When (the missing station buyers) come back I can see the stud selling 60 or 70 rams no worries at all."
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.