THE return of rain was just a support act to the impressive selling performance of the Merino rams from the Wilson family, Wilgunya, Dirranbandi, at their on-property sale last Thursday.
Max, Heather, Benn and Karena Wilson sold all 110 rams on offer to record a $1834 average and a gross of $201,800. Separately, 80 single rams averaged $1949.
It was a long wait for a top price bidding war to begin with the final single ram selling for $3800 to Rhett, Belinda and Victoria Butler, Yeranbah, Dirranbandi.
The pure Wilgunya bred ram offered a 20.3 micron measurement and a comfort factor of 99.81 per cent.
He is now headed to the Butler family’s 10,100 hectare Dirranbandi property where they run about 1700 breeding Merino ewes.
The sale day was the first time the family had stopped feeding their flock after six months without rain. Thankfully their 11 purchases, averaging $2590, were headed to green pick following 45mm of rain leading up to the sale.
Mr Butler said they average about 18.5 micron wool within their flock and he was happy to have bought the quality rams he was chasing.
“It was just his frame and wool cut that was what I was taken by,” he said.
While they only have hinged joint fencing, Mr Butler said the fencing being done north of them was stopping wild dog movements.
This year’s result was the stud’s best yet and was a sweet reward for the Wilson family after battling a season of little rain since March.
Wilgunya stud principal Max Wilson said the rain and sale result meant their season was now loaded.
“The bit I love is the 100 per cent clearance, that is my focus, that’s what I get most excited about,” he said.
“We are a fairly patient dose of people, we have only been waiting 30 years (for those prices). We’re true believers.”
Bulk buyer was Ross Hindle, Melrose, St George, with 20 lots averaging $1700.