A kick in the superfine and fine wool market saw a positive follow on effect for Shalimar Park Merinos annual ram sale at Wollun on Wednesday.
The van Eyk family sold 55 of the 60 Merino rams offered at auction to top at $2600 and average $1120.
In the breakdown eight of the ten 2015-drop stud rams sold to a top of $2600 and averaged $1425 whilst 47 from 50 2016-drop rams sold to top at $2200 and average $1053.
PK607 cataloged at lot 3 attracted interstate attention at the recent New England Merino Field Days (NEMFD).
Tasmanian merino breeder, Daniel Tribolet, Swanston, secured the 17.4-micron ram over the phone with Phil Evans, Schute Bell Badgery Lumby for $2600.
With a standard deviation (SD) of 3.3, coefficient of variance (CV) of 19.2, greasy fleece weight (GFW) of 100 per cent, yield of 73.7 percent and a comfort factor (CF) of 99.7, the March shorn ram was described as a “High quality ultrafine ram suitable for the Italian market” by Elders representative, John Newsome.
This was a first time purchase for the Tasmanian wool grower who inspected the Snoopy sired ram during the NEMFD and is expected to return to region for the upcoming Armidale Merino ram sale.
Long time client, Errol Saxby, “Rocklea” Wallangarra secured three rams in total including the first lot of the day for $2400.
A 16.5-micron ram with 2.7 SD, 16.3 CV, 116 per cent for GFW, a yield of 73.3 per cent and a CF of 99.9, the “big framed low micron ram” would compliment Mr Saxby’s self replacing Merino flock.
With a current flock micron average of 17, Mr Saxby wanted to maintain this measurement and increase size and wool cut.
Australian Wool Network representative, Harold Mantton, purchased 12 rams for repeat client, David Tooth, Primrose Partnership, Wallabadah.
The New England wool grower joins 500 ewes annually and was looking for the traditional superfine rams to breed 17.5-micron and produce lambs with traditional type wool.
Mr Tooth has been using Shalimar Park rams for 10 years and complimented the studs wool type as a great influencing factor in his flock.
The sale was conducted by Elders Walcha and Landmark Armidale with Elders’ Nick Hall taking the bids on the day.