O’Brien Poll and Dohne Merino Stud welcomed Eyre Peninsula and interstate buyers to its annual sale on Thursday, July 31.
Held at the Wudinna Showgrounds, of the 72 rams offered in the main auction 53 were sold, to a top price of $5800 and an average of $2086.
In addition, 76 rams were also offered in a mini helmsman auction, with 34 sold to a top price of $1600 and average of $1067.
The top-priced ram in the main auction was Lot 2, sold to returning clients Nev and Celia Kernick from Field, having bought from the stud for the first time in 2024.
Minnipa Agricultural Centre bought the top-priced ram in the helmsman auction for $2000.
Stud principals Jodie Resligh-O’Brien and Darren O’Brien said Lot 2 displayed quality Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV).
“It had great early growth and a condition score, along with eye muscle depth and fat percentage,” Darren said.
“I think people realise those traits are critical for having healthy sheep.”
The April 2024-drop Poll Merino ram sired by Mumblebone 202117 was in the top 10 per cent for Australian Sheep Breeding Values with a yearling weight of 11.8 and adult weight of 10, in addition to being in the top 20 per cent for post weaning weight with 8.1.
The top-priced ram also had an early breech wrinkle value of -1.3, which is in the top five per cent of the breed, and the Kernicks loved the figures on the ram.
Mrs Kernick said they had a high focus on growth rate and the improvement of their wool, with the O’Briens’ breeding objectives very much in line with what they wanted to achieve commercially.
Mr O’Brien said the stud was focused on helping clients in the sheep industry understand Australian Sheep Breeding Values.
“If someone is looking to fix a trait in their mob, which is not up to standard they can fix it really quickly using ASBVs,” he said.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Wudinna.
