ROCK-BANK Merino ram sale, Victoria Valley disputed a flat super fine wool market today and sold to a high of $4200, with 44 of the 45 rams offered recording one of the highest on-property sale average of $2428.
Principal John Crawford was ecstatic with the results and said it was well above expectations considering the “tight times” the wool and meat industry was going through.
“There were a lot more rams in the higher range, and were about 14month-old and a lot weighed 105-108kilgorams,” Mr Crawford said.
“We are obviously doing something right if our clients are making money with both sheep meat and wool – so we are really happy.”
The price paid for Lot 20, a 15.6 micron ram with a greasy fleece weight of 3.2kilogram, sire Rock Bank Tim, was by Russell Hartwick from Kelseldale Merino Stud, Ballyrogan.
With Rock Bank being their dominate bloodline for the past 25 years, Mr Hartwick said he selected the young ram because if it’s rich wool and anticipated he would grow into a big, highly productive ram to introduce into the flock.
“he has a very good skin and I plan to put more wool and frame on the sheep - I’m very happy with the ram today,” he said.
Buyers were predominantly local and Victorian based, although Fox and Lillie technical marketing manager Eamon Timms purchased Lot 5, a 16.8 micron ram, with a greasy fleece weight of 3.9kg for $4000 on behalf of former Mt Sturgeon Merino, Dunkeld stud manager and current Merino Ridges, Wanaka, New Zealand principal.
