A near clearance left White River Poll Merino Stud principal Wes Daniell “generally happy” with last Thursday’s sale.
The stud’s 46th annual on-property sale at Minnipa saw numbers drop on 2024 results – attributed to the difficulties the industry has faced in recent times.
Of the 121 rams on offer a total of 117 were sold, to a top price of $5000 – which was achieved three times.
The average sale price dipped compared to last year’s sale to $1952.
“It has been a tough time over the last two years for the sheep industry with drought and sheep prices – they have picked up now, but were down,” Mr Daniell said.
“We are in a bit of a lull at the moment, but the future does look positive.
“There were a lot of people who had gotten rid of sheep.”
The sale attracted mainly repeat buyers and a few new faces, and Mr Daniell added a few regulars did not attend.
Given the context of the season, Mr Daniell was pleased with the sale results.
“I was really happy with that near total clearance,” he said.
“As for the average, I had no idea where it was going to end up, but to get near $2000 was good.”
The top price was achieved three times in the opening five lots, with Lot 1, Lot 4 and Lot 5 – all sires of White River 160 – reaching the figure.
Lot 1 went to MW and HM Doudle of Mount Drummond.
Mervyn Doudle said the ram had the characteristics he was after.
“It has good size, make, shape and excellent figures,” he said.
Its pre-sale statistics included a 21.3 micron, standard deviation of 2.6, coefficient variation of 11.8, comfort factor of 99.8 per cent, fat of 8.2 and eye muscle depth of 43.5.
Nick Lienert from Oakfarms at Kimba bought Lot 4, which he liked the look of.
“He has a big square body, is structurally well built, has big crimpy wool and he stood up high well.”
Lot 4 produced a 21.7 micron, standard deviation of 2.9, coefficient variation of 13.3, comfort factor of 99.3 per cent, fat of 7.6 and eye muscle depth of 40.5.
Lot 5 went to Tom Lilburne of Bluebush Poll Merinos in Hay, New South Wales.
Its stats included a 20.1 micron, standard deviation of 2.7, coefficient variation of 13.3, comfort factor of 99.7 per cent, fat of 6.5 and eye muscle depth of 39.8.
“The depth and size was impressive, it has a nice white wool and good shape,” he said.
Lairg at Sheringa led the volume buyers with 40 rams to a top of $1400.
West Wimmera Beef from Nhill in Victoria bought 25 rams to a top of $4400, while DH Turnbull and Co at Cleve bought 15 to a top of $2200.
Bellkanga Pastoral on Yorke Peninsula bought six to a top of $3000 and D & E Donnell bought five to $2800.
The sale was run by Nutrien Streaky Bay and Elders Streaky Bay.
