Tasmanian Merino stud Stockman has built up a loyal Victorian following

Stockman, Melton Mowbray, sold 12 of its 58 strong draft to Victorian buyers, continuing the trend established over previous sales.

Stud co-principal Tim McShane said he was a little surprised by the strength of Victorian interest but put it down tp the stud’s genetics.

“We’ve sold to the mainland every year, not in huge numbers, but this was one of the bigger years,” Mr McShane said.

“Every year we trial some semen, generally from mainland studs, and if we think it is comparable with our operation, and helping our system, we will keep using it.”

Mr McShane said full Australian Sheep Breeding Values were displayed for this year’s rams, and that seemed to have met with approval from purchasers.

The top-selling ram, Lot Two, was by Stockman 09-930, whose grandsire was Stockman Jim. Stockman Jim is a trait leader in a number of Merino Superior Sires indexes and has exceptional classing results.

Lot Two recorded figures of a 19.2 micron wool, a co-efficient of variation of 14.4per cent, comfort factor of 99.6pc and weighed 86kilograms. It had an eye muscle depth of 34millimetres and fat of 5mm

The ram had a MP+ index of 137 and a Merino Production index of 129.

Chris Gunn, Tea Tree, said the ram had “sweet” wool and was very even. 

“My wool classer, Tony Bradfield, was very impressed. I’ve been using Stockman, on and off, for about 25 years,” Mr Gunn said

He praised the lineup of rams, saying it resulted in a strong sale throughout the catalogue.

The sale had also been boosted by volume, and mainland buyers.

“They want to go back with their bag full, they aren’t here on a holiday,” he said.

Among the new buyers were the Monks family, Hunterston, Bothwell, Tasmania.

Roberts Limited’s Jock Gibson said Stockman presented a quality line-up of rams, which resulted in strong competition for the top end. 

“I think buyers were looking for heavy cutting, quality wools,” Mr Gibson said.