THE Richardson family of Dalveen Poll Merino stud at Woodchester have celebrated their 50th ram sale in style, by recording a strong result in uncertain times.
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Stud principal John Richardson was pleased to see 107 rams sell under the hammer from 114 offered to $5000, averaging $1843, while after the sale another two passed-in rams sold.
A mini-auction was also held, where 12 rams of 28 offered sold, averaging $950.
The results were only slightly back on the 2019 sale, when 109 of 114 rams sold to $5000, averaging $2040.
"We were very happy with the day considering the dry conditions creeping in across the state and the COVID-19 restrictions," Mr Richardson said.
The $5000 ram sold to Nutrien Tintinara livestock manager Michael Lawrence, who was buying on behalf of regular top price ram buyer Kevin Schwarz, Culburra.
He was chasing the best rams he could get and were willing to pay top dollar for them.
- MICHAEL LAWRENCE
Mr Lawrence said his client was "chasing big-framed rams, a broad crimping-type animal" for his self-replacing Merino flock.
"He was chasing the best rams he could get and were willing to pay top dollar for them," he said.
The top ram, at lot 1, weighed 110 kilograms, with 21.3-micron wool shorn on February 13, measuring 2.4 standard deviation, 16 co-efficient of variation and 99.2 per cent comfort factor.
The second-highest price ram at $3800 was bought by the Downer family, Mount Beevor, Harrogate, who bought 12 rams on the day, averaging $2775.
Mount Beevor was hit by the summer bushfires, losing 2800 sheep, and were looking for "long stapled, good wools" in its restock.
Their top ram, at lot 22, was also an April/May 2019-drop, sired by Moorundie A190, weighing 110kg, with 19.7M February-shorn wool, measuring 2.7SD, 13.7CV and 99.7CF.
Overall, 24 buyers, mainly repeat clients, registered for the sale, with 23 going home successful.
The biggest volume buyer was DP&MM Densley, Keith, who took home 17 rams to $2000, averaging $1553, while the Flint brothers from Kingston SE bought 10 each.
ER&GF Flint bought 10 to $3400, averaging $2410, while TW&DL Flint bought 10 to $1600, averaging $1240.
These rams had a tonne of body weight and shape, pushed out staple length and density, just sweeter wools.
- TOM PENNA
Elders and Landmark conducted the sale.
Elders stud stock auctioneer Tom Penna, who has been part of the Dalveen ram sale for 37 years, said he was very happy with the result.
"We had three buyers missing, one from Vic, which was a shame, but we were delighted with the how the sale still went," he said.
The Richardson family have been farming at the Woodchester-property since 1842, with the Dalveen Merino stud formed in 1890.
The Poll Merino stud was established in 1970 and the sixth generation is now part of the business.
"I have seen the Dalveen sheep evolve from horned Merinos with shorter staple and a lot more skins, and the wool didn't test anywhere near to the quality it is today," Mr Penna said.
"Plus these rams had a tonne of body weight and shape, pushed out staple length and density, just sweeter wools."
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