MONTROSE HILL
*36 of 48 rams sold to a top of $4000, av $1304
GEORGE and Helen McKenzie offered one of their best ever lineups of rams at their recent on-property ram sale at Illabrook.
They offered 48 15 month-old Merino rams, and sold 36, to a top price of $4000, which is up $500 on last year, and an average price of $1304, which is up $45.
They sold the top-priced ram to the same buyers of last year’s highest-priced ram, Jim and daughter Cathryn Renkin, ‘Lyndsay Park’, Lima, who are return buyers of over 15 years.
Clearly familiar with the stud’s genetics, Mr Renkin said there was a lot to like about Lot 3.
“You can see the volume and quality of his wool, he’s full of production, and will go really well over our ewes at home,” Mr Renkin said.
The ram was a part of the winning group that took out the pen of three competition at the Southern Victorian Merino Field Day recently.
Mr Renkin said he generally buys the highest or second highest-priced rams at the sale.
“They’ve done a lot for us, they’ve really lifted our wool cut and size, all while maintaining a micron of about 17,” he said.
He said a big factor is that the Montrose Hill rams can handle their climate.
“We’re in a 40-inch rainfall area, last year we got 57 inches, so it’s really important that they can handle their rainfall, and we’ve had no issues,” he said.
He said the ram would be joined in early December, and again next year in spring.
The ram recorded fleece measurements of 18.4 micron, 3.0 standard deviation, 17.1 spinning factor and 99.8 per cent comfort factor.
Andrew Pickford, ‘Yeovil’, Clunes, was a volume buyer who took home four rams to a top of $3000 for Lot 1, av $1725.
Having bought from the stud for about five years, Mr Pickford said he has had a lot of success in that time.
“They cut a lot of wool, and are a good size,” Mr Pickford said.
He said they normally buy three or four rams, to contribute to their self-replacing Merino flock.
He said they will be joined in two week’s time to lamb in April.
Ian and Rex Crick, Chute, have been buying from Montrose Hill for almost 20 years, buying two rams this year, one for $1000 and one for $800.
Ian Crick said the rams had a lot to offer, but in particular their wool quality and size stood out.
“The first we bought has good length, and the second has good body size, so we’re hoping a combination of the two will create some decent sheep,” Mr Crick said.
He said they would be joined in early December to Merino ewes.
Montrose Hill stud co-principal George McKenzie said overall, the sale recorded a good result.
“We’re really happy with the top-end of the sale, but a bit surprised with the ones that were passed in,” Mr McKenzie said.
He said the top-priced ram, which had a reserve price of $4000, was very hard to depart with.
“We just really liked his type, and if he didn’t sell, we would have put him over some stud ewes, not commercial ewes, later this year,” he said.
“But we’re happy he’s gone to a good home.”
Elders auctioneer Ross Milne said buyers were selective.
“It was a very selective audience today, but those who did buy got good value,” Mr Milne said.
“It was certainly a good lineup, there were just some clients who have bought previously who obviously didn’t need rams this year.”
The sale was conducted by Elders, with Mr Milne the auctioneer.
