FOREST SPRINGS
22 of 35 rams sold to $2500, av $1228.
THE FIRST on-farm auction by Forest Springs merino stud, at Joel Joel, near Ararat, should help lift its profile, according to owner Bruce Dean.
It was the first time rams have been sold, by auction, since the stud was founded in 2009 and registered in 2012.
Founded on a Glenlea Park ram, over ewes from Nineunook, Mr Dean sold 22 of the 35 rams on offer, auctioneer Glendon Hancock, of Elders, said.
“It was a pretty good result, he’s only been going for about three years, but he’ll get a lot more attention in the future because of the quality of the sheep he had there,” Mr Hancock said.
The top price of $2500 was sold for a 14 month old, autumn drop ram, while the average was $ av $1228.
The top priced 18.8m micron ram featured fleece measurements of 2.7 standard deviation and a 14.6 coefficient of variation, Mr Dean said.
It was sold to Hynam Poll Merino, at Hopetoun.
Mr Hancock said volume buyers included Ray Bibby, who took five rams, and Gary Young of Banyena, who bought four, “for good money.”
bought five, Gary Young Banyena
Mr Dean said mainly local buyers attended the auction, which attracted two new clients from previous private sales.
“It was tough enough going, the season has not gone our way, it’s been a pretty tough season,” he said.
“As a selling tool, and giving us an increased profile, is what we are trying to do, so it was well worth the effort.”
