Kedleston Park
*Total clearance of 40 Merino and Poll Merino rams to $2750 (twice), av $1642
A TOTAL clearance and improved averaged shows that Kedleston Park Merino and Poll Merino stud principals John and Rosemary Humbert are continuing to be rewarded for their dedication to breeding quality dual-purpose Merinos.
The 40 strong offering of rams, made up of 33 polled and seven horned, commanded strong interest throughout.
The sale had a full clearance, and ultimately averaged $1642, up $101 on last year’s $1541 result, which was also up on the previous year.
The Merino and Poll Merino rams reached a sale top of $2750 on two occasions, which was down on last year’s top price of $5000.
Mr and Ms Humbert offered the same number of rams last year, however did not reach the same total clearance they did this year, selling 27.
All rams were May 2016-drop, and the flock carries a wool average of 18.9 micron.
The sale, held on property at Calival, was their third, and had buying support from a good mix of new and repeat customers.
One new client and an equal top-price buyer, Brian Wilson, Briandra, Minjay, appreciated the quality and the “nourishment” in the wool of the four rams he purchased.
The rams will be progeny tested in his September lambing flock and success will be measured on the resultant wool clip the following November.
Mr Wilson’s top-priced ram was sired by Kedleston Park William 4378 and recorded fleece measurements of 17.8 micron, 2.4 standard deviation, 13.5 per cent co-efficient of variation, and also recorded a 100 per cent comfort factor.
Sandy Jelbart, Carngham, introduced Mr Wilson to the Kedleston Park rams at this year’s Sheepvention at Hamilton.
One regular client, Carisbrook farmer Peter Hurse continued to buy with confidence.
Mr Hurse took home six Kedleston Park rams, ranging in price from $1100 to $2600.
His top-priced ram, again sired by Kedleston Park William 4378, carried figures for wool of 18.65 micron, 2.85 standard deviation, 15.3 per cent co-efficient of variation, and 100 per cent comfort factor.
Mr Hurse has been using Kedleston Park rams for many years and the success he is having was highlighted at last year’s Ovens Valley Wether Trial at Everton.
At the conclusion of the trial, Mr Hurse’s Kedleston Park-based team finished fifth out of almost 30 teams.
Alongside Mr Hurse was Elders wool representative Adam Millard who commented how pleasing it was to see the level of interest in Merinos again, as reflected by Kedleston Park’s total clearance.
Another local volume buyer was Frank Burke, Axedale, who also bought six Kedleston Park rams.
Mr Burke has been buying Kedleston Park Merino rams for six or seven years.
He endorsed the other buyers’ comments, saying that the type and volume of the wool Kedleston Park sheep produce is of top quality.
Kedleston Park stud principal John Humbert was satisfied with the result and the total clearance.
Mr Humbert commented that the trend in the market seemed to be now more focused on wool.
The sale was conducted by Elders, in conjunction with Landmark.
Landmark stud stock manager Andrew Sloan was the auctioneer.