SALE SUMMARY
2020 2019
Offered 154 154
Sold 128 135
Top $7400 $6000
Av $1815 $1310
YORKE Peninsula based North Cowie Merino and Poll Merino stud at Warooka has broken its top price record for the second year in a row with strong bidding throughout the catalogue.
At the stud's 34th annual on-property ram sale on Wednesday last week 128 of 154 May/June 2019-drop rams sold to $7400 for a $1815 average.
The more than $500 lift in average reflected the impressive line-up.
In the main auction 60 of 64 rams sold with another 67 of 90 rams selling in the mini auction.
33 of 34 Merinos averaged $1267 in the main auction, while 33 of 34 Poll Merinos averaged $2264.
Bidding activity was strong in the first few pens with lot 4 topping the sale at $7400- $1400 higher than last year's top price.
The 117 kilogram Poll Merino, a son of NC 150405 was carrying an 18.4-micron fleece which had a standard deviation of 2.7, coefficient of variation of 14.6 per cent and comfort factor of 99.7pc.
It was knocked down to local cereal and sheep producers Micky and Di Allen.
Mr Allen said "lot 4 ticked all the boxes" with traits they wanted to add to their flock.
"It had a long body, big barrel and depth with excellent constitution and stylish wool," he said.
An added bonus for the Allens was winning the meat tray donated by new local business, Warooka Country Meats for the highest priced ram buyer.
The following lot - a 20.2M son of NC 140466 made the second highest price of $4800 to return buyer, Castle Hill, Curramulka.
It weighed 108kg and had an eye muscle depth of 41.4mm
Lot 1 -one of the heaviest rams of the sale at 119kg - was also among the high prices making $4000.
The 20.3M ram was also sired by NC 150405.
Of the 28 registered bidders mainly repeat loyal clients 25 went home successful.
Regular buyer PEN Errington, Warooka, led the volume buying stakes with six rams for a $2233 average. PW and SJ Gutsche, Yorketown, secured four rams for a $1825 average.
Elders and Nutrien Ag Solutions were joint selling agents.
Nutrien auctioneer Leo Redden said there were a "few big impressions" among the crowd with an "uptick" in wool quality compared to the 2019 offering.
He also had high praise for the carcase quality of the rams, especially the width behind of progeny of AI N 610.
North Cowie stud principal Joe Murdoch said the sale went really well with solid, consistent bidding throughout the day.
He was also pleased to welcome a few new buyers.
"The top end of the shed sold super well with strong demand," he said.
"Sixty of 64 main auction rams sold this year which was a really great result considering how uncertain the season has been in some areas."
The Murdoch's were thrilled with their 2020 sale results given the uncertain times and a busy few months leading up to the sale, including the very recent arrival of Joe and Lucy Murdoch's son, Harry Thomas Murdoch.
"We're very excited for North Cowie's next generation and the future of the Australian stud Industry," Joe said.
"We are so grateful for our friends for their ongoing support as well as our regular clients, new buyers and our local community."
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