2024 is almost at its end, and so too is this year’s ram selling season. Read on for an update on ram sales in each state from Elders' livestock managers.
Western Australia
“This ram selling season in Western Australia we have been back 30 per cent on expectations from previous years. This is primarily due to challenging seasonal conditions, including no rain in the spring. As a result, the season was cut short, impacting livestock markets with lower prices and excess numbers.
“We have seen a downturn in sheep numbers, raising concerns that volumes sold won’t rise in the next four to five years. Additionally, the political environment, particularly the ongoing discussions around live exports, has affected the industry.
“While we have a lot of shedding breeds offering alternatives, the wool market has been somewhat unpredictable.
“Looking ahead to next year, I don’t anticipate a drastic increase in the quantity of rams being sold. However, I do expect commercial prices will rise which will likely drive-up sale prices. I think those who stay in the sheep market will be happy with future prices.” - Nathan King, Elders WA State Stud Stock Manager.
South Australia
“With the stud spring sales now complete, the results have been somewhat mixed depending on the breed, the sale date early, mid-season or late and the geographical location of the studs.
“To me this year there were three stages during the selling season that each had a different tempo. In July/August, there was still a degree of optimism with the forecast of a wet spring after a late break. In September, that optimism had somewhat disappeared, and we started hearing clients saying they ‘don’t need as many rams’, ‘it doesn’t look like raining’ and ‘I have no feed or potential to cut any hay, so I’ll lighten numbers off’. By October, all of South Australia was in that same mindset, other than the South-East, as they’d finally had some rain to inject some optimism into the ram sales.
“In summary, sale averages for Merino ram sales would have been 10 to 20 per cent down, and clearances across the board certainly well back on previous years. A lot of studs still managed a clearance of 100 per cent or close, particularly those that had station orders to support their sales. These results reflected the poor commercial returns last year, and the late start to what has turned out to be a very tough season.
“Dohnes and SAMMs in South Australia only have a small following, with a handful of sales averages and clearances even better than last year. The supply and demand appear to be well balanced. The quality again was excellent for both breeds.
“The White Suffolks and Poll Dorset ram sales had mixed results. Studs geographically located in areas of high sheep numbers had very solid sales with both averages and clearances equal or better than last year.
“Suffolk clearances and averages were very solid, appearing to be up on last year. Whilst numbers of Suffolks offered aren’t high, they are still sought after statewide, including the pastoral area.
“The Border Leicester breed currently has an oversupply of rams in a cycle of reduced commercial demand. Sale averages and clearances were back further on last year. It may be just at the bottom ready to head back up.
“Composite breed sales had mixed results depending on the type. Generally solid with clearance and price. With only a few SA studs it’s a little hard to determine the market with many purchasing interstate rams.
“The well-established Dorper sales continued with reasonable clearances and averages because of their existing commercial client base.
“Aussie Whites, Ultra Whites and Sheep Masters have slowed in demand, possibly due to the greater number of studs now breeding and selling privately, so it’s hard to determine where the numbers sit.
“Still some good clearances and averages this year, and the outlook for sheep and lamb looks extremely strong and positive.” - Tony Wetherall, Elders SA State Stud Stock Manager.
Victoria and Riverina
“We have been in ram selling season since late August. The sales have performed well considering that there have been a few headwinds. This has particularly been the case in the Merino industry, with a tough wool market. Seasonally, in some areas, challenges have been felt by breeders who buy rams every year, with the reduction of ewes and ongoing feeding costs.
“In saying that, Merino sales have achieved good averages, not dissimilar to last year, probably back by 15 per cent on last year as a whole. Positive clearances have been experienced with the majority of sales achieving an 80 to 85 per cent clearance rate and some even better. So, considering the climate and challenges put in front of our Merino ram sale clients, sales have performed well.
“The terminal sales have also performed well, and likely achieved better clearances rates cross Vic/Riv with their averages similar to last year or at a slight increase from last year which has been very positive.
“Going into the 2025 season, I think we can expect sales next spring to continue performing well, particularly if the lamb market stays where it is or improves. There are a few factors that will influence the season, including market trends. We hope to see an increase in the wool market which will hopefully also continue to motivate our wool producers to continue to invest in their merino genetics.” -Ross Milne, Elders Vic/Riv State Stud Stock Manager.
New South Wales
“The contrast between the 2023/24 selling season and the current one could not have been greater. Particularly when it comes to seasonal conditions and overall market confidence. While NSW struggled with a vast majority of the state experiencing poor seasonal conditions combined with an overall lack of confidence in sheep and wool markets in 2023/24, a complete turnaround in seasonal conditions along with a subdued increase in sheep values has led to increased confidence in the stud Merino markets throughout the state.
“Sale averages this season have been up on last year although this is coming off a low base. Confidence has been reflected in the overall clearance rates with most studs experiencing greater clearances than the selling season prior. The one constant that became more apparent the further we got into the selling season was the lack of buyers operating on the lower tier rams at each stud. For virtually every sale it was apparent that the top tier stud rams would attract good competition although at reduced values to 2022/23. The mid-tier rams attracted the majority of support from breeders, while the lower tier rams struggled for value and competition. This would reflect the exit of those opportune breeders moving away from merino production and onto other enterprises.
“Even though the Monaro was doing it tougher than most of NSW season-wise, demand for Merino sires endured the tight season. Clearance rates were well up on the previous season with the finer types 16.5um to 18.5um being the types attracting the highest competition along with horned rams being far more in demand than polls.
“Given the turnaround in seasonal conditions, it came as no surprise that the massive amounts of available feed led to a micron blow out of around 1um to 1.5um. Demand was strongest for 18.5um to 20um with the greater than 20.5um being overlooked for the finer types. Demand was equally split between both horned and poll offerings with possibly the horned attracting greater values dollar wise.
“Despite the below average rainfall, the southern area still had a good season. Much like the Monaro, 16um to 18um is where demand is most centred which led to higher clearance rates across most of the sector with the poll lines being the most eagerly sought after. The sales results of this area reflect that there is still a great number of rusted on Merino breeders in the south and has not seen the swing away to other enterprises like the Central West and western part of NSW.
“Sales for the New England area will run from January through to early February. I would expect a similar trend from what has occurred throughout the rest of the state, that is, a minor improvement in average sale values with a greater impact on auction clearances.” - Andrew Miller, Elders NSW Stud Stock Agent.
