At the Rubie family’s ninth annual Lachlan Merinos on-property ram sale at Forbes, NSW, last Wednesday, a total of 115 rams of 120 offered sold to $12,000.
Forty buyers from across three states paid an average of $2163 for the draft. Most rams were 12 to 13 months old, this year’s current short-wool tests averaged a fibre diameter of 19.6-micron, co-efficient of variation (CV) of 15.4 per cent, standard deviation (SD) of 3-micron and comfort factor (CF) of 99.6 per cent across the draft of Poll Merino and Merino sires.
The top-priced ram was purchased by Brett and Jenny Woods of Rosedale Poll Merinos, Trundle, NSW. By Big Joe 449 Poll, the 115.5-kilogram ram had a fibre diameter of 18.5M, 2.4 SD, 12.9pc CV, and 99.8pc CF.
It was the Woods’ first time at Lachlan Merinos, making their way to the sale after seeing the ram at Dubbo National Show and Sale in August.
“I came here after the one ram and I am very pleased I got him,” Mr Woods said.
He said he liked the ram’s long body and the quality and evenness of his wool.
“The consistency of his wool is impeccable – his test results are all perfect and he stands well too.”
Mr Woods said the ram would be joined with about 80 of his stud ewes.
Lachlan principal Glen Rubie said the top-priced ram was one of his best Poll rams on the property.
“At 11.5 months of age he was the same weight he is today (115.5kg),” he said.
“That’s my goal – get there quick, we call it fast growth rates, which is why we shear the ewe lambs on sale day, to prove this point!”
“People are always blown away by what Lachlan Merino lambs can achieve in the first 12 months of their lives.
Robert Green, Green Partnership, Forbes, secured the second highest price ram for $9000. The 108kg ram, by Midas, measures 18.6M, 2.6 SD, 14.4 CV and 99.5 CF.
Return client Mark Jones, Booroola, Condobolin, NSW, purchased a 19 strong draft of both Poll Merino and Merino rams to $4000 twice, av $2874.
Mr Jones, who runs a pure Lachlan blood flock of 3000 breeding ewes, said that the Lachlan sheep were doing the job for him, having helped increased his wool cut to 8kg per head.
Buying rams from the Rubie family for 10 years, he and his family run a.
Roger Warren, Boorowa, purchased four rams at auction to $1400, av $1100, and secured another eight grade rams after the sale.
He said he started buying the Lachlan Merinos four years ago, needing a sheep with stretch, staple length, bright, white wool and were quick growing.
The Knight family, Grenfell, NSW took home six rams, paying to $3200, av $2300.
