Melrose
Total clearance of 19 Poll Merino rams, sold to $3600, av $1331
21 of 29 Merino rams sold to $2200, av $866
MELROSE Merino stud, Nurrabiel, has achieved its most successful sale, with a total of 40 of 48 Merino and Poll Merino rams sold to a top of $3600 and an average of $1087.
The strong clearance rate and prices were driven by competition from return buyers and three new buyers, who had been keeping an eye on the stud for the past few years and decided to bite the bullet and buy rams for their value and production levels. Principal Warren Russell with many of the rams sold to buyers in the Western District.
One long-standing Melrose client Des Guinane again travelled from Gherinhap near Geelong to snap up the two top-priced rams.
The sale-topper was lot 26 15CCB141, whose fleece measured 16.3 micron, 2.6M standard deviation (SD), 14.6 per cent co-efficient of variation (CV) and 100pc comfort factor. It also had a Fibre Production Plus (FP+) index of 146, and was knocked down for $3600 – which was $1200 more than last year’s top price.
Mr Russell said for the superfine ram to have such a big frame and wool production at only 16 months of age made the top-priced lot stand out.
Mr Guinane’s support of the family’s rams started with him buying rams from Mr Russell’s grandfather Tom Lewis, Kooringa Merino and Poll Merino stud.
Mr Guinane also secured second top price ram Lot 6 15CCB146, with fleece of 16.7M, 2.8M SD, 15.7pc CV, 100pc CF and FP+ index of 148 for $2500.
Both these rams were sired by Melrose Poll 13CC172 who was champion march shorn superfine poll ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS), Bendigo, in 2014 and is ranked 11 out of 234 superfine sires on Merinoselect with 119 progeny and FP+ index of 158.
The top-priced horned Merino ram was Lot 31 15R4C957 that was purchased by Ian Ross for $2200. Its fleece measured 17.8M, 2.8M SD, 16.0pc CV and 99.8pc CF.
It had Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) of yearling weight 5.4kg, yearling clean fleece weight 14pc, yearling fibre diameter -2M, number of lambs weaned 13% FP+ index of 158 and an Merino Production Plus (MP+) index of 170. Its sire, Melrose 13R4509, is ranked seven out of 234 superfine sires on Merinoselect with 62 progeny and a FP+ index of 161 and a MP+ index of 174.
Volume buyers included Anthony and John Pola, who put together a terrific team of nine rams for an average of $1055.
Mr Russell said this year’s group of 16 month-old, March-shorn, paddock-reared rams presented very well as a group, despite being tested by the environment with a lot of dirt and dust as well as one of the wettest winter/springs we have had in decades.
The sale draft averaged body weight 92kg, 18.3M fibre diameter, FP+ index of 144 and MP+ index of 149.
Mr Russell said it was terrific to have a successful sale that reflected the advances the stud had made, for example in the past six years Melrose has had an average index increased of 4.18 points annually (a rate achieved by only a few studs).
One of Melrose’s leading sires 12UGB057 also had the highest fleece weights and lowest micron of his cohort in the North East Sire Evaluation trial; and clients are achieving top wool prices and Melrose won reserve grand champion fleece at the ASWS.
Mr Russell was thrilled this year’s sale had “clicked into gear” as people became more aware of the stud’s quality and the likelihood of a favourable spring and summer, as well as strong wool and sheep markets, had combined to boost demand.
