Brimanna quality on show despite conditions

The top-selling ram was lot 4, which is pictured with Justin Thompson, Ben Dickenson, buyer Graham Clayton and stud principal Jayden Harris. (Charlotte Martin: 493255_07)

Brimanna Poll Merino Stud held a successful 39th annual on property ram sale last week, with a sweet $7500 top-selling ram.

Graham Clayton from Berry Springs Farm at Yallunda Flat has been buying sheep for 30 years and said lot 4 – the top-selling Brimanna ram he bought – was the best he had seen.

“He stands so very well, very good on his feet, very good muzzle and purity,” he said.

“Good depth of carriage, high tail setting and his meat figures are just terrific.

“It’s the best figures I’ve ever seen, in a ram I’ve bought.”

That was one of 66 rams sold out of 75 on offer, with an average sale price of $1328.

Stud principal Jayden Harris said the sale was predictably a few buyers short due to the tough conditions of the season leading in.

“People have had to get rid of sheep and reduce numbers, that obviously makes it tough when you don’t have the money to go out and buy rams,” he said.

“For what the season was and the result to sell 66 we’re pretty happy with.

“It’s good to see the top quality rams still sold really well, that lot 4 was really good and so was lot 1 which sold for seven (thousand dollars). That’s what we’re looking to breed, rams like that.”

Mr Harris said his stud and many others had been through two of the toughest seasons they had seen in a number of years.

“To see the quality still right throughout the shed is really encouraging,” he said.

“We’re going to continue to invest in our genetics and buy rams right at that top end. We bought the top ram in Adelaide last year, so obviously sons will come through next year.

“Next year it’ll be the first sons of our Sharlu Park Ram which we purchased for 23 grand.”

The sale was run by Nutrien Ag and EP Livestock.