Coryule Merinos
33 of 50 rams sold to $3200, av $1415
IT was a wet afternoon in Willowvale, as buyers came to snap up 35 of 50 rams on offer at Coryule’s twilight sale on Tuesday.
While the clearance rate was down by 20pc on last year’s inaugural sale, the average price was up by $118, at $1415.
The top-priced ram was purchased by Sean McDougal, Rosevale, Tatyoon, at $3200, down $800 on last year’s top price of $4000.
Mr McDougal purchased two rams at the sale, av $3000, and said the top-priced ram was an all rounder.
“He’s got a good frame and structure, and has nice, lengthy, crimpy wool,” Mr McDougal said.
The September-drop ram recorded fleece measurements of a 16.7 micron, 2.6 standard deviation (SD), 15.6pc co-efficient of variation (CV), and a 99.7pc comfort factor (CF).
It had a body weight of 86 kilograms, and was sired by N120231, from Nerstane Merino Stud.
Mr McDougal runs 2800 Merino ewes, 2000 of which are joined to Merino rams, and the remainder to White Suffolks.
He bought one ram from Coryule last year, and said their lambs are at foot now.
“We’re hoping they’ll introduce genetic improvement to our fleece,” he said.
Shane Jubb, Kia-Ora South, Hexham, purchased eight rams at the sale, at a top price of $2000, av $1175.
Mr Jubb bought at last year’s inaugural sale, as he was ready for a change in genetics.
“They suit our style of wool, and they’re good, well standing sheep,” Mr Jubb said.
Mr Jubb runs about 4500 Merino and cross-bred ewes, and said he bought in volume at the auction as he is planning on joining rams to a younger age group of ewes.
“We’re hoping to bring in a new age group, so I figured I’d buy a few from here,” he said.
Coryule stud manager Craig Trickey said he was very pleased with the result of the sale.
“There were some return buyers from last year, and a couple of new buyers too,” Mr Trickey said.
Coryule participated in the Southern Victorian Merino Field Day last Friday, and Mr Trickey said there were a few people who attended the field day last week that bought at the sale.
“I’ve seen a few people from the field day, which is a good result,” he said.
Mr Trickey said buyers were returning for their great doing ability, and length of staple.
Andrew Sloan, Landmark, said the decreased clearance rate was most likely due to buyers being very selective in what they purchased.
“They bidded on what they wanted, and unfortunately, that was it,” Mr Sloan said.
He also said there was a slight lack of buyers, which could have been due to the cold weather, or last year’s success.
“When prospective buyers see such a great sale result, like the result of last year, it can turn them off because they might think the prices will be too dear,” he said.
Mr Sloan said despite this, buyers liked the breeding of the Coryule rams.
“They’ve got white, soft wool on them, with very good figures.”
Homelea Mt Emu, Chepstowe, purchased four rams at the sale, at a top price of $2400 (twice), av $2000.
The sale was conducted by Landmark.
