The 46th annual Collandra North Poll Merino Stud ram auction went off without a hitch on Wednesday, August 6, with Lot 2 taking the top price at $8000 to Henry Turnbull from Wandarrah Agriculture Trust in Kapinnie.
The top-selling ram had a sire reference to Masterbuilt 211110 and a fat rating of 8.9.
Bidders came from far and wide across the country, from Tullibigeal and Hay in New South Wales, to closer from Streaky Bay, and many left with a comfortable ram or even several.
Auctioneer Gordon Wood likes to spruik the odd “bull with wool”, which only worked in the seller’s favour, while some very friendly competition ensued from the outset over Lot 3, with $200 increments finally landing on a $5200 sale.
Collandra North stud principal Sydney Lawrie said he was happy selling 114 of the 120 rams on offer.
With numerous shows under the belt this year and one field day left on the agenda, he was also looking forward to a holiday.
“It rolled off reasonably well with the tough season’s everyone’s been having, I was really happy with the way it went,” he said.
“It’ll get better with the pricing if we can have this season continue, which it seems to be quite good – everyone’s had a few really good rains.
“Everyone needs the seasons and the prices, and yeah we’ve got the prices and the season’s starting to happen.”
Matt Carr went home with Lot 118, a nice purchase he said due to its clean fleece weight, overall whiteness of the wool and lack of breech wrinkle.
“It’s been a tough year and I’m trying to get value for money, so I was trying to buy a bit cheaper, but at the same time you want to buy what you know is good and it’s a bit hard so I had to wait ‘til the last third to get it in,” he said.
“I’m happy with it, I spent a little bit more than I wanted to, but at the same time in previous years I’ve spent less.”
Collandra North own the Australian Grand Champion March Shorn Ram from the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo and has semen available for any stud interested in introducing a top quality sire line into their flock.
For more information, Mr Lawrie asked to contact him on 0428 820 216, or visit collandranorth.com.au
