Top Curlew Merino stud ram sells for $7000

The Edenhope stud sold 75 of its 80 rams, up from 50 last year, to a top price of $7000 to average $2450.

The top-priced ram Lot 20 190279 was purchased by an undisclosed return client from western Victoria.

Elise Kealy, who runs the stud with father Tony and brother Bernie, said a majority of the rams were bought by clients in the Western District and south-east South Australia.

"The sale far and above exceeded our expectations in regards to both clearance and average price," she said.

Ms Kealy said the rams were "tried and tested" and ideal for "real-life farming" with a younger generation of farmers looking to ASBVs to select suitable sires.

"Data is paramount to our breeding plan, and the rams are run very hard to allow us to collect the necessary data," Ms Kealy said.

Ms Kealy said her rams required less drenching, had lower mortality and as a result were more productive.

The top-priced ram was described as an "all-rounder" which was structurally sound with stylish white wool.

It had a post weaning weight of 7.4, a post yearling fat depth of 1.3, a yearling clean fleece weight of 16.9, a coefficient of variation of -2.1, a yearling eye muscle depth of 1.6 and 17.1 micron wool.

Ms Kealy said the stud was committed to breeding worm-resistant Merinos.

"They were run at 25 to the hectare on 600 kilograms of feed on offer for six weeks through the winter, causing them to lose 10kg, in order for us to be able to collect individual worm egg counts," she said.

"The rams then showed phenomenal resilience to bounce back and look fantastic on sale day, despite eating only pasture for the last month."

The sale included sixteen sons of 170116 which performed well at the MerinoLink 2019-drop sire evaluation at Boorowa, NSW.

"He had the lowest rate of culls, second highest rate of tops, and was a trait leader for clean fleece weight, post weaning weight, eye muscle depth and coefficient of variation ," Ms Kealy said.

Three volume buyers purchased 28 rams between them on AuctionsPlus, including one first-time client.

Thirty-one of the rams were bought via the online platform.

Long-time repeat buyer Trevor Zadow, Trevelen Pastoral, SA, bought a ram from the stud for the 25^th consecutive year.

Australian Wool Network sheep and wool specialist Russell Macgugan said the Kealys were committed to breeding a "dual-purpose animal".

"There is no doubt there is a growing demand for Merino sheep with figures as well as good wools that are able to handle wet weather and the environment through the Western District," he said.

"It's a credit to Curlew who increased rams into this sale and sold a majority of the rams offered."