News & Events
Woodpark tops $4200
“A STRONG repeat client base for the Huggins family of Woodpark Poll Merino stud, Hay, again cemented a good average for one of the largest Poll Merino ram offerings in NSW.
Of the 30 registered bidders, 26 actually bought the 108 of 120 Poll rams to a top of $4200, averaging $1931, with 15 of these buyers taking home three or more rams.
The Huggins family again lifted the bar offering 20 more rams and selling an extra 10 of them, compared to last year, while lifting their average at the same time by $310 from $1621 in 2010.
As seems to be tradition now at the Woodpark Poll sale, Elders auctioneer Ron Rutledge opened the sale reciting the new tops Merino ewes were commanding at the previous week’s annual Hay surplus Merino sale.
He fired up bidders telling them that ewes made to $281 and continued to offer great value for Merino produces as a combined wool and meat package operation.
The top ram, a 19.8 micron ram, measured 3.2 standard deviation, with a 16.2 coefficient variation, 99.5 comfort factor, and a 107 greasy fleece weight and 106 body weight percentage.
The ram was bought by David and Richard Bibby, “Burrupa”, Tattyoon, Victoria, who went on to buy a further 10 rams at auction and two grade rams from the private sale pens, averaging $2423 for the lot and $2682 for the 11 rams at auction.
The Bibby family came back to Woodpark Poll after a 10 year absence last year, after deciding to chase Poll rams and move away from horns, while still being able to chase big bodied, free growing rams to run with their 2000 Merino ewes.
Several rams pushed close to the top, but it was the bulk orders that again dictated the sale, like Gregor McNaughton, “Burong”, Seaspray, Vic, who paid to $2600, averaging $1490 and Elston Pastoral, Wallaloo, Vic, bought seven at $1789.
Moss, Stuart and Philip Reading, “Brynavon”, Callawadda, Vic, lead the charge purchasing 12 rams throughout the whole draft to $3400 highs, averaging $2442, with only one ram under the $1800 mark.
Danny Boland, Cavandale Grazing, Gifford, Vic, bought seven at $1571, while Arthur Sleeman Family Trust, “Riversdale”, Jerilderie, paid $1500 for four and Rowan Houstan, “Budgewah”, Hay, with the help of classer Craig Wilson, Wagga Wagga, took home seven at $1629.
Flinders Gem Pty Ltd, Wilby, Vic, bought three of the top rams at $2500, while S and H Exton, Coolamon, averaged their four at $2075 and the Farrant family, “Calimo”, Deniliquin, also snapped up seven for $1357.
There was some stud action with Bob Walters, Middle View Merino and Poll Merino studs, Dalgety, selecting two new stud sires at $3200 and $2900, while Graham Lieschke, “Blossom Farm”, Henty, paid to $3200 for three, averaging $2500."
— The Land, September 29, 2011
A record, ewe bewdy!
Jerilderie October sale
A record $282 was paid for maiden Merino ewes at Jerilderie last week (October 7).
The record not only eclipsed the $281 paid at Hay three weeks ago, but topped one of Jerilderie’s best sales in more than two decades.
The Elders Jerilderie yarding of 19,000 head, up 2500 on last year, included almost 11,000 2010-drop Merino ewes.
The top prices were not confined to the young ewes.
The Grimwade family from Glenaroua, which is about to disperse its PertAngus stud and expand its sheep operations, paid $190 for 575 of Sleigh Pastoral’s five year-old Merino ewes.
Will Grimwade said these ewes would be joined to Woodpark rams.
“Wanawong, Boree Creek: 144 classed April 2010-drop July shorn, Woodpark blood, $277.”
— The Weekly Times, October 12, 2011
The Yardstick
Steve Hargreaves, Boree Creek, NSW: Sold 928 classed 2010 and 2009–drop July–shorn Woodpark blood ewes to a top of $277.
“I was only selling because we have given up the lease on a property. I was amazed at the price for the second draft.”
– The Weekly Times, October 12, 2011
Helen Huggins, Jerilderie, NSW:
Sold 86 Shorthorn steers, Wynyard blood, rising 12 months, weighing 407–433kg, for $845– $898 or 207–209c/kg. “The steers held well with the curfew weights and certainly surprised me.”
— The Weekly Times, October 12, 2011
Top ewes sell well
Wycheproof September sale
Buyers were selective with their bidding at Wycheproof last week, with quality sheep attracting top money while plainer and old ewes failed to reach the heights of some recent sales.
About 8000 sheep were yarded. The wet weather prevented some lots from being offered and quality was mixed in crossbred and Merino sections.
After a run of record priced store sheep sales, last week’s Wycheproof market was described as more realistic for buyers and still fair vendors.
The headline sales were $260 for young Merino ewes, $292 for Merino ewes with lambs, $254 for 2010 drop first–cross ewes, and $288 for first-cross ewes with lambs.
— The Weekly Times, October 5, 2011
Woodpark Polls head to Mongolia
Woodpark Poll genetics will be added to the mix of a 50 million head sheep flock in Mongolia after government department officials selected 37 Poll rams to take home with them during an Australian visit in early July.
Download a PDF of the report
2011 Events
October 1 – Woodpark’s private selection
Private Selections of Graded rams commence, 500 Merino and Poll Merino rams available.
September 26 – Woodpark Poll – Annual ram sale
Poll Merino and Merino rams available for private selection in days following ram sale.
August 19 – Elders Ram Expo, Deniliquin
Woodpark Poll will be displaying at this spring field day hosted by Elders which also has industry information and a range of breeds. Our display will include a selection of auction of auction rams and potential sires including D15, available for semen collection.
August 1 & 2 – Hamilton Sheepvention
At Hamilton this year we sold five rams offered in the annual multi-vendor sale. The pen included two older spring drop rams. The other three were the younger autumn drops as is usual at our auction.
In the future we intend to have a selection of our young rams which we have used for a season and build toward presenting a 24 month pen. Reducing the number of sheep taken away from the auction. Sheepvention is not an established market for us so we believe they should represent good value, unlikely to be above and beyond the auction.
Read our full report
Thursday, July 28 — “Knowledge Network” meets at Hay
Our next session will include a guest speaker about ways to work with the current sheep and wool markets, look over some sheep and some chat.
“Knowledge network” is a breeder gathering, to catch up with other sheep breeders and share information about topics including scanning and benchmarking.
Organisations seem keen to work with small groups and it is great to access information and have closer access to speakers than may happen at a large field day or seminar. Making it easier to get the information you need or answer that specific question about your operation.
September 26 — Woodpark Poll – Annual ram sale
Poll Merino and Merino rams available for private selection in days following ram sale.