WESTERN NSW pastoralists underpinned a total clearance at East Bungaree's Merino and Poll Merino ram sale on Tuesday last week at Hallett, but it was a local buyer who knew the breeding program extremely well that secured the top price.
Former East Bungaree co-owner Mark Brooks, Banbury Props, Hallett, outlaid $9000 for the Merino which he said was the "sort of sheep they were looking to breed in their setup" with good heavy bone.
"I just think it's his presence and his outlook. He's an impressive ram from the side," he said.
He also commented that the 21.3 micron ram, which was a son of Lewis, looked easy care and an "uncomplicated and good doing type".
"We want the bigger sheep that cut a lot of wool, but we also want our ewes to rear a lamb and do that with minimal of fuss. We want good doing sheep."
The ram's other wool tests included a standard deviation of 3.5, coefficient of variation of 16.4 per cent and comfort factor of 99.3 per cent.
In November last year Mark and Tony Brooks and their families sold the renowned stud to Collinsville Stud Merinos, Hallett, with last week's sale the first under their ownership.
The sale kicked off with a bang with T&V Giles, WA, securing lot 1 at $8500- the second highest price of the sale.
The 18.5M Poll Merino- tag 5848- was an Imperial 22 son with a 2.9SD, 15.7CV and 99.7CF.
MJ&MA Maynard bidding through Elders Mildura secured the next lot, lot 2, for $8000.
Overall all 277 rams found homes for a $1984 average, down about $150 on 2020's sale when 257 rams were offered and sold.
In the main auction 41 Merinos averaged $2490, while 90 Poll Merinos averaged $2410.
The rams were all May/June 2020 drops.
A total of 27 Merino rams were offered in the mini auction, with the top reaching $2400 and averaging $1744, while 119 Poll Merino rams were offered to a top of $2000 and averaging $1543.
Buyers registered for the sale from throughout the Mid North including Clare, Jamestown, Gladstone, Peterborough and across to Kimba, Wudinna, Loxton, Orroroo and Broken Hill.
NSW pastoralists Mundi Mundi Pastoral Company, Broken Hill, were the volume buyers of the day buying 37 rams for a $1905 average.
The Withers family, Dalwoodman Pastoral, Wentworth, NSW, took home 25 rams averaging $1688 and Top Hut Banoon Pastoral Co, Pooncarie, NSW,secured 24 for a $1592 average.
With interstate station buyers locked out of SA, a number of volume station buyers relied upon agents to purchase stock.
Elders stud stock auctioneer Tom Penna believed, without COVID restrictions in place, the solid sale could have seen even higher prices.
"There weren't the highs like we have had in the past. We didn't have quite the zip from the inside buyers, but (we did have) solid bidding from the station people and that's where these sheep thrive, in station country."
New stud principal George Millington said they were very excited about the opportunity to take on the East Bungaree stud.
"This year's line up is a fantastic example of the East Bungaree type; they're genuine, large framed, big-boned, heavy cutting, profitable sheep," he said.
Mr Millington said it had been fantastic to work with Tony Brooks who had remained the key person involved in selecting and breeding of the stud bloodlines.
He looked forward to working with him "for many years to come."
Elders Burra conducted the sale.
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