• Hazeldean Merinos Monaro Ram Sale 2010

Story courtesy BRETT TINDAL, The Land

 Hazeldean shows the way

THE name Hazeldean is synonymous with Merino sheep and Angus cattle and again proved why, with buyers from several states again flocking to the Hazeldean Merino ram sale at Cooma for stud sires and new flock rams.

In a year where Merino rams have been the flavor for most sheep breeders it was no wonder 105 of 106 rams topped at $3800 and averaged $1450 at auction, before another 51 of 58 grade rams were sold over the pen on the day for an impressive $980 average, totaling 156 of 164 rams selling for $1296.

There was a series of front runners in the sale with nine buyers snapping up five rams or more out of the sale, with four of these buyers then proceeding to the grade pens for atleast five or so more.

The top priced animal sold to the Tremain family, Ferndale Partnership, Yeoval, as the second last auction ram of the day, by the Billandri 05-0142 sire, with a tremendous ASBV Index of 173 at 17.71 micron, with a 3.28 standard deviation and 18.64 coefficient variation.

The Tremains bought two rams out of the auction for $3800 and $2000 and then paid the top price out of the grade rams at $2100.

Tony Hill, “Springvale”, Cootamundra, stepped up to the plate this year buying 13 rams at auction for $1454 and then another 10 of the grades at $1040, where in the past has bought the majority from the pens and five or so from the auction.\

Curwin McClure, “Duneden”, Tarcutta, again made it tough for the other buyers, setting his sights early on some of the better rams, purchasing eight rams to $2400 tops at auction.

Chris Komor, “Willowbend Station”, Boorowa, pulled the auctioneers into line slowing the sale to his pace buying nine rams at auction for $1389 and a further five at $1100 in the grades.

David Eccleston, “Bonnie Doon”, Cooma, bought five at $1480, while Kevin Coves, Landmark Goulburn, advised Brian Andreson, “Lower Sylvia Vale”, Binda, buying six at $1950.

Fergus and Rosemary Irving,“ Tramore”, Woodside, Victoria, bought six at $800 out of the auction and another six for the same money in the grades, while Mick Larritt, “Woodstock”, Cooma, finished the sale with six at $1567 and Tony Street, Ocean Grove, Vic, secured seven at $1014.

James Flick, Flick Estates Pty Ltd, Cumnock, fought hard buying seven at $1100 at auction and another seven at $800 in the grades.

Hazeldean conduct their own sale with Tony Dowe and Paul Dooley as the auctioneer.

• Hazeldean Merinos Riverina Ram Sale 2010

Buyers looking for consistent breeding in their Merino flocks took home a swag of rams from the Hazeldean Riverina ram sale last Thursday, where prices reached $2800.

The sale was held by the Litchfield family on their "Rosevale" property at Hay where they offered a line-up of 96 rams, 84 of which were sold at auction to average $1250.

The top-priced ram was secured by repeat clients, the Gibson Family, "Greystones" , Rowsley, Victoria, through their property manager, Leigh Harrison.

Mr. Harrison said he was keen to secure the top-priced ram for its good body type, staple length and micron, which would help improve their wool type which sits at 18 to 19 micron.

The ram had a16.9 micron wool,SD of 2.56 micron Co-efficient of variation of 15.38 % and comfort factor of 99.7%.

Mr. harrison snapped up 13 of the Cooma-bred rams- to average $1607 - which will be joined to ther 3000 Merino breeders.

He said the Cooma-bred rams produced soft, better handling wool, which performed well in the Bacchus Marxh environment in Victoria.

The said the Hazeldean genetcis provided a good meat/wool package, with "Greystones selling wether lambs each year through the Ballarat saleyards, Vic, or direct to the export market.

This year, they sold 2000 one-year old Merino wethers at the Ballarat yards for a top of $146, to average $136, producing a 20 kg carcase weight.

Hazeldean stud principal, Jim Litchfield, Cooma, said he was plesaed with the $200 lift in the average price on last year.

The top price also jumped $600, reflecting the positive mood in the sheep industry.

Volume buyer, TA Field Estates, Pevensey Station, Hay, bought 13 rams to a top of $1700 to average $1123.

David and Erica Shorter, "Boola", Burren Junction, secured six rams for a top of $1800 to average $1383

Coniston Pastoral Co. Ballyrogan, Vic, bought 8 rams to a top of $2400 to average $1625.

Buyers travelled from Murrami. Burren Junction, Galore, and the local area, as well as Yass, Navarre, ROwsley, Cohuna, Ararat, Strathalbyn and Darriman in Victoria.

-story courtesy The Land  28/10/10