*77 of 91 rams sold to $5100, av $2375
A clearance of 84 per cent and a top of $5100 was achieved at the Glenelg Regional Merino Group sale Monday.
The multi-vendor sale was conducted online via AuctionsPlus and had 35 successful bidders took part on 91 rams offered contributing to an average across 77 rams of $2375.
Top price was $5100 for a horned ram sold account Campbell and Greg Penny, Gleneden stud, Douglas. The young sire was by a Borambil ram and had measurements of 17.9 micron, 2.7 standard deviation (SD, 15.1 co-efficient of variation (CV) and 99.8 per cent comfort factor (CF).
The buyer of the top priced lot was Arcadian Wool Brokers account the Craig family, Apsley.
The Gleneden also achieved the equal second top price of $4800 for lot 35, a ram with figures of 17.6 micron, 2.5 SD, 14.2 CV and 99.8 CF. The 15-month-old ram was bought by AW & RC Heath, Kanagulk.
Another Gleneden ram was bought for $3700 by Wanwan Proprietors, Edenhope. The ram had fleece measurements of 19.1 micron, 3.1 SD, 16.2 CV and CF of 99.9.
The second ram to make $4800 was offered account Wurrook, Rokewood. The 23-month-old ram was sired by Wurrook Giant 688 and showed measurements of 17.3 micron, 2.6 SD, 15 CV and 99.9 CF.
The August shorn ram was bought by Warren Russell, Melrose stud, Nurrabiel.
Top priced poll Merino ram was lot 85, also sold account Wurrook, that made $4200. The 23-month-old son of Rock Bank Rafa had figures of 18.6 micron, 2.8 SD, 15.1 CV and 99.5 CF with an August shearing.
The winning bidder was a Nutrien Ag Solutions Bannockburn account.
Lot 70 was a horned sire sold account Glendonald stud, Nhill, that sold for $3700. It had a micron of 20.6, 3 SD, 14.6 CV and CF of 99.5.
Selling for $3650 was lot 46 sold account Lynne and Kevin Beaton's Kevlyn Merino stud, Coojar.
The 14-month-old ram had figures of 18.7 micron, 3.3 SD, 17.6 CV and 99.7 CF. The buyer was a Nutrien Ag Edenhope account.
Glenelg Merino Group president Warren Russell, declared the sale a success with vendors happy with their results.
He said it was a steep learning curve to get it done this year, but should be easier if it had to be held the same way next year.
"It was a terrific result with prices around where they were expected to be - no matter how you conducted the sale," he said.
"The clearance for what will be the biggest multi-vendor ram sale on AuctionsPlus this year,it's a terrific result.
"A huge thanks to all the buyers, underbiders and all the studs selling today."
Nutrien Livestock Merino specialist, Stephen Chalmers, said prices were "beyond expectations".
"Under the circumstances I think everyone did pretty well following an exceptional sale in 2019," he said.
Stud summary:
Thornlea: sold 12/15 to $3100 av $2008
Mount Yulong: withdrawn
Gleneden: sold 17/19 to $5100 av $2862
Kevlyn: sold 5/5 to $3650 av $2790
Elmbank: sold 5/10 to $2000 av$1520
Melrose: sold 4/5 top $1900 average $1700
Glendonald: sold 19/20 top $3700 average $2568
Wurrook: sold 6/6 top $4800 av $2750
Valleyella: sold 10/11 top $2400 average $1830
