White River 2021 Sale Report

A new record has been set for White River Poll Merino and Merino Stud after their top ram sold for $23,000 at last Thursday’s sale. Celebrating their 42nd annual sale, the top ram drew strong bidding and was purchased by the Murdoch family at North Cowie, Warooka.  

The sale got off to a flying start with lots 1 to 10 setting the scene for the day –  lot 1 and 3 was purchased for $7500 and $10,500 respectively by new client Wise Family Trust, Katanning WA, via AuctionsPlus before lot 2 sold to repeat buyer NJ & EE MacCartney, of Coreen NSW, for $12,500 also via AuctionsPlus.

Total clearance of the 174 lots offered at an average of $3166. This was up almost $700 on last year’s average. In the breakdown, 43 Merino rams were offered, selling at an average of $3804, along with 131 Poll Merino rams averaging $2964.

The top price ram drew strong bidding and was purchased by North Cowie Stud, Warooka. Stud principal Joe Murdoch described the ram as a modern merino. 

Weighing in at 129kg (July 4, 2021) Lot 10 Sired by Promotor 212-14 with an eye muscle depth of 47.3, FAT 6.4, Micron 20.4, SD 2.7, CV 13.0, CF 99.7. 

Mr Murdoch said they had been looking for a good quality horn sire for a few years and had found lot 10 at the Eyre Peninsula Pre-Sale Ram Expo, held at Wudinna in July.

“…and he’s perfect. He’s got a lot of wool on him and we feel he can do a lot for North Cowie. He will fit the bill with what we want to do and for our clients. Buying this ram will give us the confidence that he will do what we want him to do at North Cowie,” Mr Murdoch said. 

Top priced Poll Merino ram, lot 4, sold to Broadoak Stud at Whyte Yarcowie for $18,000. Lot 4 is a well-made very correct son of GP 173 (Smithy – sold for $100,000 in 2019 Adelaide ram sale.) He carries himself on a tall, long body and very square behind, he is covered with long staple medium wool with great colour. Mic 19.8 SD 2.8 CV 14.0 CF 99.6 BWT 118.5kg (July 4th 2021) FAT 8.1 EMD 44.1. One of the best poll rams ever to be offered at White River.  Broadoak Stud also purchased lot 8 $9,500 and lot 141 $3,400.

Volume buyers were Sheringa based Lairg Station, purchasing 33 rams for an average price of $1100. Followed by West Wimmera Beef, from Nhill, Victoria, with 26 rams for an average of $3,200. A total of 49 buyers – return and new – registered from throughout the Eyre Peninsula, Mid North and interstate, both on site and via AuctionsPlus.

White River stud principal Wes Daniell said it was the best line up they had ever had – from the first ram to the last. 

“Our top rams are as good as we have ever had and that showed with the depth of the prices they made. We had buyers from Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia bidding on our top rams. It gives us great confidence moving forward,” Mr Daniell said.  

Despite COVID restrictions, Mr Daniell was pleased with the day and thanked those who took part in the proceedings. 

Nutrien Ag auctioneer Gordon Wood said it was a tremendous result for the Daniell family. 

“Full clearance with strong purchases from six studs throughout the sale,” Mr Wood said. 

Elders stud stock auctioneer Tony Wetherall said it was a good display of dual purpose Poll Merinos and Merinos.  “Both stud and commercial buyers were here. We had regular buyers and new ones here, too,” Mr Wetherall said. 

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag and Elders.

Report written by Chelsea Ashmeade, Ashmeadia. Photos by Mallee Marketing.