Stud rams are well and truly into five-figure territory this spring, as AuctionsPlus interfaced sales deliver strong results and buyers from across Australia. We take a look at a few standout results from spring so far.
Trigger Vale reaffirmed its position at the top of the industry, recording a 98% clearance across 306 rams offered. Prices peaked at $25,000 (lot 7) for Trigger Vale 667, a May-drop Poll Merino ram that sold to Kurra-Wirra Merino Stud, Harrow, Victoria, in a syndicate with semen shares to Ella Matta Stud, Kangaroo Island, and Ejanding Merino and Poll Merino Stud, Dowerin, WA.
The ram, by TV200081, ranked in the top 5% of the breed for post-weaning weight (+12.76), yearling weight (+15.91) and yearling eye muscle depth (+4.02). He also ranked in the top 10% for weaning rate (+0.24) and in the top 5% for maternal lamb Index (152.86).
At the fall of the hammer, all 210 Poll Merino rams averaged $3,375, while 90 of 96 White Suffolk rams averaged $1,617. Online competition was fierce, with 465 bids placed across 145 lots, 21 active online bidders, and 11 securing 37 lots.
The renowned Classings Classic once again drew national attention, topping at $21,000 (lot 4) for a Poll Boonoke Stud ram, NSW, purchased by Woodpark Pastoral, NSW. Across the catalogue, 83 head sold for an average of $4,572 with 85% clearance.
Online buyers were highly active, placing 87 bids and securing 17 lots, with much of the demand centred on the Ridgway Advance draft. The catalogue also generated 6,200 online views, highlighting the broad reach of the sale.
The Adelaide sale recorded 85% clearance, with 28 of 35 lots sold to average $7,616. Top price was $20,000 for a 14-month-old ram, boasting an 18.7 micron fleece, and was offered by Terrick West Merino Stud, Prairie, Victoria. 
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Terrick West M31065 (Lot 25) which fetched the top price of $21,000. Pic: Supplied |
Conducted alongside the Adelaide Royal Show, the sale grossed $213,250 and featured strong online interest, with six bidders active and two successful.
To Snowtown, South Australia, where the Leahcim Poll Merino Ram Sale held on September 9, delivered an exceptional result, clearing 100% of the 279 head offered. The sale averaged $2,865, with the top price reaching $15,500 for Lot 7.
Online participation was strong, securing 33 lots online for an average of $3,573, with the top-priced ram also purchased online.
The sale topper, tag no. 242138 (lot 7), who was purchased for $15,500. Vid: Supplied
Online bidding was highly competitive, generating 338 bids across 83 lots, resulting in 33 rams sold online. Notably, two significant volume buyers helped drive the result, with one securing nine rams and another taking home 17 rams.
Online purchasers represented a broad geographic spread, with successful buyers from New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia, reflecting the national demand for Leahcim genetics.
Fingerpost made its online debut this year, achieving an outstanding 95% clearance. Of the 96 rams offered, 91 were sold to average $1,385.
The sale was topped by lot 1 at $15,500, purchased by an online bidder. In total, three lots went to online buyers – an encouraging start for Fingerpost’s first AuctionsPlus interfaced sale.
At Tamworth, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School’s annual White Suffolk sale delivered a 100% clearance across 41 rams, averaging $2,321. The top price of $9,600 (lot 13) was paid by online buyer Robert McCartney, Yentrac White Suffolk Stud, Tatura, Victoria, for ram Farrer 240048.
The sale topper, Farrer 240048, a White Suffolk ram who was purchased for $9,600. Pic: Supplied
Online engagement was strong, with 271 bids placed across 16 lots and nine of the 12 active online bidders securing rams. Sheep sold into three states, reflecting the depth of demand.
