North Cowie auction rises to $1748 av on 'best line up'

There was a total clearance in the main auction with 39 Poll Merinos topping at $4200 and averaging $1959 and 37 Merinos topping at $4600 and averaging $1505.

This strong demand for the Murdoch family's rams continued into the mini auction with 56 of 60 Merinos topping at $1200 averaging $807 and eight of 10 Poll Merinos topped at $2000 averaging $1000.

Overall 140 of 150 rams found homes for a $1748 average.

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The $4600 sale topper, which was lot 10, sold to the Parsons family, Curramulka.

Andrew Parsons described the 19.8 micron ram, horn number 1.1, as a big, robust ram and was impressed with its figures.

The 111kg son of Glen 8.68 had wool measurements including a standard deviation of 3.4, coefficient of variation of 17.7 per cent and comfort factor of 99.5pc.

It also had impressive carcase data with a 44.1mm eye muscle depth and 6.5mm fat depth.

"We just thought he was definitely going to be a great flock ram. We are mostly focussed on wool but try to chase that dual-purpose as well, Mr Parsons said.

Another Curramulka buyer, Ballater Pty Ltd, outlaid the sale's second highest price of $4200 for lot 6- a Poll Merino ram, tag number 210023.

The 111kg son of Rices Creek Imperial, was 20.2M with a 3.1SD, 15.5CV, 99.2CF.

Buyer Matthew Pointon said the ram had a good body and good wool and would help them maintain the wool cut and micron of their self-replacing Merino flock.

"The wool and body were the main drivers. (he had) bright while wool, good body size and shape," Mr Pointon said.

The day's volume buyer was Wirryilka Pastoral, through Nutrien Broken Hill, who purchased 79 lots for just over $900 average.

Stud principal Joe Murdoch said it was nice to present the rams without COVID restrictions unlike the past couple of years.

He was very pleased with the line-up and how the sale went.

"We have put a lot of emphasis on measurable traits over the last few years, eye muscle, fat depth and wool cut whilst maintaining wool quality and frame size. I think this really reflected well in the quality and depth of our line up or rams at this years sale," he said.

It was also great to see so many of our regular clients back as well as a couple of new faces."

Elders SA stud stock manager and auctioneer Tony Wetherall described the line-up as their best and most consistent offering.

"Wool quality and quantity on the sheep keeps getting better and better every year." he said.

"They (the rams) are great value for money when you compare these sheep and the price paid against some other studs in Australia."

Nutrien stud stock's Leo Redden said the Murdochs seemed to have hit the sweet spot with their breeding.

"There's genetic progression every year with sheep studs of course, (but) every now and again there's a year that makes a statement and I reckon the Murdoch's have done that with this year's offering," he said.

"The depth and the quality of wool goes right down into the mini auction this year and most impressive was the positive tests on the wool. You can have your cake and eat it, and they seem to be hitting the mark, so well done."

Elders and Nutrien were joint selling agents.