Rural & Agriculture
30 October, 2025
Success at Southern Victorian Merino Field Days
THE Southern Victorian Merino Group’s on property ram sales were conducted this week, with Coryule, Ioness Poll, Mt Challicum, Stud Park South and Wurrock studs all presenting rams for inspection and sale. Stud Park South principal and Southern Victorian Merino Breeders Association president, Pat Millear, said that the significant increase in the meat and wool market was rewarding for anyone who had continued to breed merinos, and that there was now a big opportunity for those wanting to further increase their breeding numbers.
The Stud Park South auction cleared fifty-six of the sixty-eight rams on offer, with the top price being $6,000 and the average $2,477.
The stud also took out the Gorst Rural Pen of Three award.
Pat Millear said afterwards that he was very happy with the sale.
He noted there was a good crowd of buyers, and that they showed support for the breeding direction being taken by Stud Park South.
Rob Coutts from Ioness Poll said he had had considerable interest in his rams, despite the difficult season recently experienced.
He said many farmers had incurred big feed costs and there were generally lower numbers of ewes around.
Pleasingly though, he had received positive comments about the good growth of wool and the frames on his rams this year.
Mt Challicum sold their rams via the Helmsman system, and stud principal Phil Hartwich said it was a good result.
“We’ve had a really good sale, with a good roll up and a fair bit of competition. We’ve had our regular clients return and a couple of new ones, so we’re very happy.”
Of the thirty-two rams available, twenty-nine were sold.
The top price of $6,000 was paid by Devery Farms Pty Ltd at Greens Creek for a 15.5-micron ex-show ram.
The average over the day was $1,648.
Like other breeders, Phil Hartwich noted the tough season.
“A lot of feed has gone down sheep’s throats. Wool yields have been down, but the price has picked up in recent weeks, which is a positive sign. The good thing about merinos though, is they’re dual-purpose, and you can get a really good, crossbred lamb out of them as well.”