Organisers of the annual Glenelg Regional Merino Field Day declared this year’s sale a success, despite the season’s adverse conditions.

Field day president Warren Russell said the event was well-attended, with a good sale rate.

“It went quite well considering the season we’re having – how tough it’s been and how much money everyone has been spending on keeping sheep alive by buying feed,” he said.

“We ended up selling 93 of 104 rams, with the top sale being $4400 for a Gleneden horn ram. This year the average sale price was $1655.”

Mr Russell said this year’s ram sale followed much the same trend as previous years – last year 99 of 107 were sold, averaging $2439 and top-selling at $7000, twice; in 2022, 86 of 96 were sold, averaging $2230 and top-selling $7250; and in 2021, 90 of 94 were sold, with an average of $2541 and top-selling at $7500. 

“We’ve a good group of young stud-breeders driving it forward, I think it’s gaining momentum – there’s more and more people wanting to join the group. It’s in a good position at the moment,” he said.

“Sheepvention dropped off this year, we seem to be the only seller in western Victoria – once there was Hamilton, Ballarat and Bendigo, now there’s only Bendigo and us.

“I think the fact that it’s been a grassroots, local event, has been its strength. It’s local breeders providing rams for local clients, and that’s why it’s so well supported.”

The entire August 27, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire August, 27, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!