THE good news just keeps on coming for sheep studs, with prices holding up in southern sales.
At Harden, east of Temora in NSW, the Phillips family's Yarrawonga Merino stud achieved an average of $2750 for 122 rams sold in a complete clearance on Monday.
- READ MORE: Ram sales results
The average was their best yet, and $1000 better than last year for 20 more rams sold, principal Steve Phillips said.
"Buyers were chasing well-grown, well-nourished wool and the rams looked well; probably the best lot we've offered," Mr Phillips said.
Further south, confidence in the wool market and a promising season delivered an average of $1785, about $600 more than last year, for 149 rams sold at Bairnsdale's Gippsland stud Merino sale last week.
Janet and Murray Toland, of Bindawarra, topped the sale with a $7500 ram sold to Steven Crawford, of Flinders Island.
The Tolands, of Omeo, sold 49 rams for an average $1754 and described the result as fantastic.
"We're up nearly $100 on last year's average, but we have a better selection of rams than last year," Mr Toland said.
Alan and Jason Stewart's Stockton Merino stud at Bairnsdale achieved the highest average of $2433 for their 24 rams while Kelvin and Jackie Pendergast, of Pendarra, sold 40 rams for an average $2005 and Craig and Janet Robertson, Havelock Park Dohnes, averaged $1558 for their 24 sires.
Meanwhile, a shortage of buyers took the edge off the Yaralla Poll Dorset's 50th anniversary sale at Tocumwal, in NSW last week.
Held by the Smith family, the ram sale marked the stud's 50 years since foundation in 1961.
From the 78 rams offered, 54 sold to $1200 and for an average of $731.
Repeat client Brendan Cossar, of Natteyallock, bought six rams for $800-$1000.
The rams will be joined to 1000 Pooginook Merino blood ewes, averaging 21-micron wool.
"I sold April-drop Yaralla-sired lambs at Bendigo this week to average $118.70," Mr Cossar said. "I thought the sale today was a bit tough and I don't know why as the lamb market is similar to last year."
