Auction prices held firm at Calcookara Poll Merino Stud’s 2025 auction despite a sharp drop in sheep numbers throughout the state in the past year.
Three rams each reached the top price of $4200 on Thursday, August 21 – with one going to Kerri and Len Hill, of Hallett, and the other two to Prospect Thoroughbred and Pastoral in Western Australia.
The Hill family paid $4200 for lot 10 and $2600 for lot two in the sale, while the Western Australian Prospect Thoroughbred and Pastoral bought both lots 11 and 20.
Calcookara sold 88 for the 90 rams offered in the auction for $1754 – only $7 down on 2024, despite many farmers destocking sheep during the drought.
The stud was well supported by Locks Well Pastoral, which bought 18 rams.
Other bulk buyers included Mid North pastoralists NV and EJ Byerlee bought eight sires; Hillsea Station Trust, of Sheringa, with seven; and Puckridge Ag, of Wangary, which bought six.
Stud principal Brenton Smith said the support the stud had received this year had been awesome.
“It was beyond our expectations selling 88 of 90 rams for a $1750 average, so thank you,” he said.
“Also a big shoutout to the six new clients that purchased yesterday thank you for trusting in our genetics. We look forward to working with you in the future.
“A special thanks to those who travelled long distances to get to us, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
