Wet and windy weather couldn’t deter Merino breeders from the 39th Haddon Rig Annual Ram Sale, held on Thursday September 8th, where rams sold to a top of $24,000.
A large and enthusiastic crowd of repeat and new clients gathered at the Warren Showground for the sale, as well as active online buyers to bid on the offering of 251 Poll Merino and 133 Merino rams - our largest offering to date.
In the breakdown, 236 Poll Merino rams sold to average $3130 and 133 Merino rams averaged $3198, giving a total sale average of $3150 for 369 rams – a new record for the stud.
The top priced ram was purchased by Bonanza Merino Stud for $24,000. The Merino sire was lot six in the catalogue, HR 211283 by W170470. His wool tests were FD 19.6, SD 3.1, CV 15.5 and CF 99.7.
James Morris of Bonanza Merino Stud, Lightning Ridge said he was drawn to the sire for his outlook.
“I was drawn to 1283 firstly for his outlook. A plain ram with a good frame, top medium wool and staple length, very safe and correct, perfect wide horn setting, and pure muzzle,” he said.
The Morris family are long term clients of the Haddon Rig stud.
“Our family has confidence in purchasing sires from Haddon Rig. We have bought a lot of top rams over the years, and they all perform and survive in our environment.”
The Morris family’s other purchase was their first into the Poll world, securing lot one HR Poll 210561(PP) for $10,000. It was an ET-bred Poll sire with fibre tests of FD 19.3, SD 3.2, CV 19.6, CF 99.8, YEMD 1.3 and YFAT 0.4.
James Morris, Bonanza Merino Stud, Lightning Ridge, purchased two rams at the 2022 Annual Haddon Rig Ram Sale.
L-R: HR Stud Advisor Andy Mcleod, HR Stud Overseer Callum McLean, HR Stud Principal George Falkiner, James Morris of Bonanza Merino Stud, Olivia Falkiner and HR Stud Manager Andy Maclean.
The Wilson family, based at Collarenebri and Lightning Ridge, paid $16,000 for our top price Poll Sire. They are repeat buyers of the Haddon Rig stud rams and have been buying HR Stud Poll sires since 2010.
They purchased HR Poll 210083 by HR Poll 190612, which was lot one of the catalogue. His wool tests were FD 18.9, SD 2.8, CV 14.8, CF 99.7 with a PWWT of 8.5 and YWT of 10.
Alastair Wilson said the Poll sire was his first pick.
“210083 was my number one pick and it was a quick and easy decision. He is the exact wool type we are looking for on a well-balanced ram. He is a well crimped medium wool with excellent staple length whilst still carrying the wool density we need in our country.”
The Wilson family purchased HRP 210083 for $16,000.
L-R: Brad Wilson of Nutrien Stud Stock Dubbo, HR Stud Overseer Callum McLean (front), HR Stud Advisor Andy Mcleod, Alastair and Doug Wilson, Brett Smith of Elders Walgett, HR Stud Principal George Falkiner and auctioneer Paul Dooley.
Brennan O’Keeffe, Tootha Merino Stud, Walgett took home five Poll sires, paying the second top Poll price of $14000 for lot 3 HRP 210136 x PB180360. It had fibre tests of FD 19.7, SD 3, CV 15.2, CF 99.,2 YEMD +0.3, PWWT 7.3 and YWT 7.5
One of Haddon Rig’s first Western Australian clients, the Jaekel family, drove from Ongerup WA to attend the sale. Emily and her grandfather Mick purchased two very stylish wooled sires for $6000 and $4000 before loading up and making the long journey home.
Volume buyers for the day included the Bragg Family, “Rossgole”, Aberdeen who purchased 20 Poll sires to average $4300. The Bragg’s have been buying Haddon Rig rams for more than 40 years and have been transitioning to Polls over the last six years at “Rossgole”, where they have an average rainfall of 750mls.
Frank Bragg said their changeover to Poll rams had “only been a positive experience”.
“We are very pleased with the way the HR Polls have adapted to the wetter than average years and the wools’ ability to handle this unrelenting weather pattern has surpassed our expectations. This has given us the confidence to step up into another level at the sale.”
R and M Walters of “Glenallen”, Tamworth purchased four Poll sires to average $5500.
“The HR rams are always well presented with an average micron of 20 and a body weight of close to 100 kg,” Richard said. “The Haddon Rig style of Polls suits us down to the ground.”
“New Merrigal”, Collie purchased a draft of 22 Polls and horn rams to average $2480 - well selected by Ashley and Mathew Bell of Warren.
The Weston family, “Googodery”, Cumnock put together a consignment of 21 rams to a top of $3000.
Haddon Rig Stud Classer Stuart Murdoch said they were pleased with the sale result.
“The most pleasing aspect of the sale was that all the Merino breeders that registered were able to purchase a sire to suit their needs and budget,” he said. “If you take our stud sires out of the equation, our Poll flock sires averaged $2807 and horn Merinos averaged $2855.”
“We would like to sincerely thank our loyal clients for their continued support as well as new clients for trying our genetics and considering Haddon Rig to be part of their Merino business.”
“Feedback from our clients repeatedly came back to correctness of frame, fertility, size and consistency, which is encouraging us to continue with our current breeding program. Profitability and performance for our clients is at the front of our minds,” said George Falkiner, HR Stud Principal.
Haddon Rig’s George and Sally Falkiner, with daughter Olivia, son-in-law Charlie Blomfield and Will Michell.
The Falkiner family would like to thank our valued existing and new clients who travelled from near and far to join us for the sale on Thursday. We were encouraged to see strong interest in both our Merinos and Poll Merinos and a large number of new clients from different corners of the state travelling to try our genetics and incorporate Haddon Rig Merinos into their business.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the entire Haddon Rig team who worked tirelessly to make the day a success. The Stud team who pulled the sale team together, the Haddon Rig farming team and Egelabra boys who helped set up, pen up and transport sheep, Paula Blake (HR Office Manager and catalogue expert) and Belinda Steers, our ASBV consultant.
Carriers Ashley Bell and Michael Fletcher who took great care of our rams, the Warren council for allowing us to use the venue and our local Warren Nutrien agents Ashley McGilchrist and Marcus Bruce as well as the respective stud stock teams of Elders (Scott Thrift) and Nutrien (Brad Wilson) as well as auctioneers Paul Dooley and Martin Simmons.
Lastly, the very important foodies Caroline and Anna Coward, Sally Falkiner, Rachel Maclean and Tom Saunders (not surprisingly captain of drinks).
The day could not proceed without the dedication, commitment and work ethic the above-mentioned people put in.