KILFEERA PARK
43 of 45 Merinos sold to $2100, av $1277
3 of 10 Poll Merinos sold to $1100, av $1067
KILFEERA Park has recorded another successful ram sale, clearing 46 of 55 Merino and Poll Merino rams on sale on Monday.
Averages were up significantly on last year, with Merinos av $1277, up $212, and Poll Merinos av $1067, up $267.
The top-priced ram was purchased by Rose Nevinson, Cobb Run, Booroorban, NSW, at $2100.
This was the 18 year-old’s first ever purchase at a ram sale, after getting into the sheep business just two years ago.
Ms Nevinson said after growing up on a Merino farm and showing sheep at school, she decided she’d start up her own Merino operation.
With hopes to expand her current flock of about 50 ewes and six rams, Ms Nevinson said that now she’s finished high school, she’s “starting to get more serious”.
She said the top-priced ram was well covered and nourished.
“I’m hoping he’ll put more nourishment and cover into my flock, as the ewes are currently quite dry, as well as a denser fleece,” she said.
Kilfeera Park stud principal Murray McKenzie said the ram was well balanced with white, crimpy wool.
“He’ll match the ewes he’s going over,” Mr McKenzie said.
Mr McKenzie said he was happy with the result of the sale, with an increased average, and a few new faces.
He said he was pleased with how the rams turned out given the tough season.
“The season was wetter than normal, but the rams finished well,” he said.
Ron Creek, Australian Wool Network, purchased eight rams at the sale, on behalf of James Earl, Cavendish.
Mr Creek said Mr Earl was a long-time buyer, who relied heavily on Kilfeera Park genetics to “handle the western district’s climate”.
Mr Earl runs about 5000 sheep, and uses Mr McKenzie as a sheep classer.
“We’ve helped improve the quality and quantity of their wool,” Mr McKenzie said.
“We’ve seen gradual improvement in their weiners, and last year they were excellent.”
Jim Bruce, Elders Albury, said there were many positives to take from the sale.
“There were more registered buyers, there was a better clearance, and a better average, we’re very happy with that,” Mr Bruce said.
The sale was done by helmsman auction, which both Mr Bruce and Mr McKenzie deemed successful.
“The buyers responded well to the helmsman auction, they were quite spirited, and bid all the way through,” Mr Bruce said.
Mr McKenzie said it was a good way to ensure no one left empty handed.
