Avenel Merinos sale: Full clearance as wool sheep back in vogue

There was positive news at the McCrabb family’s Merino sale today as all rams sold and averages were close to last year. Read why.

Positive sentiment hasn’t been seen at many livestock sales lately but it was at today’s Avenel Merino ram sale at Wanganella in southern NSW where prices reached $7000 and weren’t far off the pace of last year

“Honestly, I’m absolutely rapt,’’ Avenel stud master Colin McCrabb said, after they had a full clearance of 96 catalogued rams at an average price of $2789. Last year the main run averaged $3062, meaning the difference was less than $300 despite the downturn in markets and confidence this year.

It was a boost for the McCrabb family after Amanda, Colin’s wife, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Avenel Merino stud at Wanganella, NSW, has used their ram sale to generate funds for breast cancer nurses, selling lot 23 for $6000 at their sale.

In a heart-felt speech before the sale, Mr McCrabb thanked all those who had rallied around them and helped pull the sale together – the first one Amanda had missed in 32 years.

The McCrabbs also rallied behind the McGrath Foundation and had a charity auction including ram number 23, which was donated to help fund Breast Care Nurses. The ram sold for $6000 and with other items donated by selling agents Elders and AWN the family raised more than $10,000 for the McGrath Foundation.

The top priced $7000 ram was a young Poll Merino, which was in the top 10 per cent of the breed for yearling staple strength and in the top 20 per cent for fibre diameter, tested at 18.8 micron.

The ram sold to repeat buyer Graham Mott from Yerong Creek, who said he had picked the animal for its wool potential.

“It was my pick of the catalogue, he is really soft handling and in our area we have got to stay white and bright in the wool,’’ Mr Mott said.

The Motts have been on Avenel blood for more than 20 years and repeat buyers were the backbone of the sale.

Colin McCrabb shows the wool on the $7000 ram which is held by daughters Amelia and Phoebe, with buyers Debbie and Graham Mott, Yerong Creek.

The first 30 to 40 lots sold consistently between $2500 and $5000, before the sale levelled off to $1200 to $2000 over the back end of the catalogue. The lowest price was $1000.

Mr McCrabb said the Avenel stud had a dedicated clientele of wool growers, which had probably supported the sale against the downturn in lamb and mutton values that is affectubg breeders running flocks more oriented to meat.

“It has been a fantastic result and our clients are very wool-based, which I think has helped,’’ he said.