Lachlan Merino stud hits $18,000 top, $4818 average

Overall the Rubie family of the Warroo-based stud sold 160 rams for a full clearance and average of $4818.

Rams sold at all price points, from $1500 up, with both repeat clients and new buyers from Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and throughout the Tablelands and Western regions of NSW operating on the quality draft.

In the breakdown, 122 Merino rams sold to the $18,000 top and averaged $4852, and 38 Poll Merino rams sold to a $7500 top and averaged $4711.

RELATED READING: Lachlan Merino stud's 2020 sale results

The $18,000 top-priced ram was purchased by Michael Wright of Rhodes Pastoral Pty Ltd, Boyup Brook, Western Australia with the bold-bid placed over the phone through Elders stud stock agent Scott Thrift, Dubbo.

The high-seller was Lachlan 200850, a 19.1 micron son of Lachlan 180743 that had fleece measurements of 2.8 standard deviation (SD), 14.7 per cent fibre diameter coefficient of variation (CV) and 99.6pc comfort factor.

Returning to buy from the Lachlan stud, Rhodes Pastoral join around 20,000 Merino ewes and own their own feedlot in which they finish their own lambs.

"This is the fourth year they've bought from here, and the second year they were unable to attend due to COVID," Mr Thrift said. "We went through the draft and selected five rams for them which we narrowed to three and this ram was their first pick.

"They [Rhodes] were chasing carcase and an early maturing type, with good skins and white, waxy wools."

The Rhodes purchase had a post weaning weight (PWT)of 5.6, a yearling weight (YWT) of 6.5, a yearling clean fleece weight (YCFW) of 27.4, a yearling fibre diametre (YFD) of -1.7, a Dual Purpose Plus Index (DP+) of 165 and a Merino Production Plus Index (MP+) of 166.

It was the first time the Lachlan stud had Australian Sheep Breeding Value (ASBVs) on all the rams offered in the draft, which was well-received by clients.

"It is the first year we've offered the rams with figures and it has been really positive, we used a ram, LM140179, which is in the top five per cent for MP+ and that has given us a lot of linkages," Mitch Rubie of Lachlan Merinos said.

"Our older clients are learning the ropes with the figures, but it certainly brought new clients in."

With good growth, fleece weight and great micron reducing ability, Mitch said the main attribute of the top-ram was his carcase.

Glen Rubie said the stud drew in a number of new clients that were "wanting good structure and feet" in their rams.

Five rams sold at the second top price of $7500.

Buying from the Rubies since their first sale, Kevin and Therese Welsh of Eugowra, purchased one of the second high-selling rams, Lachlan 200721, as part of their draft of three rams at a $7167 average.

Sired by PB180137, the twin-born 18.6 micron ram had fleece measurements of 2.7 for SD, 14.5pc for CV and 99.6pc CF. He ranked in the top 10pc for YCFW (30.2) and top 20pc for PWT, YWT, YFD, DP+ and MP+

"He had a terrific skin and phenomenal staple length," Mitch said.

Queensland based Victoria Downs Merinos, Morven picked up two new sires, paying a top of $7500 for Lachlan 200099, and average of $6500.

Also from the northern state was Andrew and Di Parsons, Altonvale, St George who selected a draft of seven averaging $1929.

The largest volume buyers during the auction were M and L Ellis, Argyle, Panuara who bought 22 for a $4341 average.

Mark Jones of Booroola, Condobolin was also a multiple buyer, securing 20 rams at a $5550 average.

Chasing size and nourishment, Mr Jones has been buying Lachlan Merino rams for 20 years now for his flock of 2500 Merino ewes which average a 20-micron fleece with an average wool cut across the flock of nine kilograms.

"We are chasing a dual purpose type, with good wools and good meat," Mr Jones said.

"Recently we had wether lambs cut 9kg of wool at nine months, and we sold them for $210 a head through the yards so we did the sums and they returned $280 a head.

"We also had 12-month-old cull ewes off shears, unjoined, sell for $310/hd in the yards. They cut seven kilograms of wool at nine months."

Other significant purchasers were Westbury Pastoral Company, Temora, 12 rams at a $5000 average, the Knight family of Wattle Villa, Gooloogong, 11 rams at a $5545 average and Flick Estates, Cumnock, 10 rams at a $5500 average.

Fifty grade rams sold after the sale, with more available over the next two months.

Proud of their 2021 sale draft, Glen Rubie said the stud is continuing to grow with the biggest breeding program, incorporating extensive embryo transfer and artificial insemination work, taking place recently.

"They are productive sheep that grow wool and supply meat," he said.

"We have invested a lot into growing our numbers and have done DNA on the rams to help provide more measurement and selection tools to our clients.

"We will have the most rams to prepare for next year, and if we know people want more rams, we will put more up."

The sale was conducted by Elders and Nutrien with auctioneers Paul Jameson, Elders and John Settree, Nutrien sharing the duties.

This story originally appeared on The Land.