Bella Lana Merinos attracted strong demand at its sale last Friday, held on-property at Dripstone near Wellington, where 56 rams topped at $4200 ad averaged $1348.
Stud principals Scott and Anna Brien were delighted with the result of a 93 per cent auction clearance from 60 rams offered and a jump in the average price of $281 with an extra eight rams sold compared to last year’s sale.
Buyers and brothers Dugald and Lachlan Campbell, “Burrendong”, Dripstone, and “Bonada”, Mumbil, paid top price at $4200 for a 19.9 micron son of Leahcim 1173, which also had a 100pc comfort factor.
Dugald Campbell said the ram had “very good” Australian sheep breading values (ASBVs) figures.
His ASBVs were very good all over, being positive in each index, plus he has beautiful staple length
he said.
The brothers run a 3000 ewe self-replacing Merino flock of 18-micron average fibre diameter and they shear every seven to eight months producing six to seven kilograms.
The Campbells also bought another six rams for an overall average of $1657.
That’s good value for money compared to current sales,
he added.
Another returning buyer of about 10 years, Richard Marshall,
“Wargandinna”, Burren Junction, secured seven rams or and average of $1229 and a top of $2100 for a 19.9-micron son of Wallaloo Park 525. Mr Marshell is now joining 2400 ewes of 19 to 20 micron, cutting about six kilograms of wool.
Dunedoo district repeat buyers clients, Warren and Mavis Leeson, “Anglewood”, bought their first Poll Merino ram at $3400, a 19.6-micron son of the Leahcim sire.
Their purchase also had a 100pc CF and all positive ASBV index figures.
First-time buyer, David Boyd, “Rosebank”, Minyip, in Victoria’s Wimmera, had purchased 450 hogget ewes from Bella Lana last April and returned to buy rams to join to them.
He paid an average of $1667 for six rams.
A multi-lot buyer was Pat Dillon of Collarenebri, who took home 10 rams for an $830 average.
The sale was conducted by Landmark, Dubbo, with John Settree as auctioneer.