Gippsland's annual Merino ram sale will be held virtually this year after the organisers of the event opted to cancel the in-person auction due to COVID-19 concerns.
About 184 rams are expected to be offered from five studs across east Gippsland on September 1 for the 29th Gippsland Merino Ram Sale.
Elders district wool manager Mal Nicholls said the online sale would be conducted via AuctionsPlus.
"We made the decision to move the event online because it gives us surety moving forward," he said.
"We didn't want to be responsible for bringing a group of people together and running the risk of something untoward happening."
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Two inspection days will still be held in the lead up to the sale for prospective buyers to inspect the rams.
"Potentially it gives more people the opportunity to bid confidently and especially in these times where our clients from NSW, Tasmania and South Australia can't travel to the sale," Mr Nicholls said.
"I also don't think anyone from western Victoria would have been able to get here either."
Pendarra and Roundhill will hold inspections on August 24, while Stockton, Bindawarra and The Fringe will open their gates on August 25.
Nicholson River, which was badly affected by the January bushfires, will have rams available for private sale.
"We ask people intending to visit these studs to call in advance and make a booking to view the rams," Mr Nicholls said.
"Alternatively, studs are happy to make times outside these dates for people to come and inspect."
Bryce Eishold
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. Bryce is also the president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@stockandland.com.au.
Bryce is a senior journalist with Australian Community Media's Stock & Land where he reports on all aspects of agriculture. Bryce is also the president of the Rural Press Club of Victoria. Email Bryce at bryce.eishold@stockandland.com.au.
