A number of Pendarra stud’s poll rams will be auctioned next Tuesday for Kelvin and Jackie Pendergast, Benambra.
Gippsland’s finest Merino rams will go under the hammer next Tuesday, but trying seasonal conditions in other parts of the state may possibly influence the sale.
There are 122 rams on offer from six vendors including the Stewart family, Stockton stud, Hillside; the Ah Sam family, Round Hill stud, Omeo; Luke Nicholls and family of Macehill Merino stud, Stockdale; the Freeman family’s The Fringe rams from Briagolong and the Pemberton family’s Nicholson River Merino stud, Nicholson, as well as the Pendergast family’s Pendarra stud.
Last year 140 Merino rams were offered, of which 116 sold for an average $2243 a head and a top of $8000 for a poll from Pendarra Merino stud.
This year Pendarra stud principals, Kelvin and Jackie Pendergast, Benambra, will offer just over half the total head, with 68 rams penned, 35 poll and 33 horned.
It’s been a tough slog for the Benambra couple, who started feeding all their cattle and sheep back in March due to dry weather, which continues still, a full feed-up every second day.
“The paddocks were the same colour as the dirt road,” Kelvin said.
“We got an inch or so of rain a bit more than a month ago which has given the place a green tinge but not much more.
“Hopefully we get something this week, it looks promising.”
While cautiously optimistic about the ram sale outcome, Kelvin believes sheep producers in dry areas may have been forced to decrease their ewe numbers over the past year.
“Good rams will still sell well but the clearance rates may not be as high as usual,” Kelvin said.
“Buyers who usually take four to six rams may only take two or three.
“It’s been dry in so many areas and the numbers have been lightened off.”
The Pendergasts were particularly proud recently when local wool growers, Alan and Noeleen Smith were awarded the sought after Elders Southern Clip of the Year at Sheepvention in Hamilton.
The Smiths have been clients of Pendarra for 28 years and it certainly brightened the Pendergasts’ week knowing that Pendarra-bred rams were involved in such an accolade.
In total, five Pendarra clients had clips nominated for clip of the sale during the year, the flocks located from Benambra to Seaspray and the Western District, with long-time clients, Darren and Ally Hayward, awarded January clip of the month.
Kelvin said their rams’ wool was suited to a wide variety of locations because it was pure white and stylish, with great character, crimp and fleece weights.
“They also have the right amount of nourishment to keep the dust and the water out,” he said.
The Pendergasts remain confident about repeat buyers and are looking forward to Tuesday’s sale.
The Gippsland Merino Stud Breeders sale will take place at the Gippsland Agricultural Centre, near the Bairnsdale Airport, on Tuesday, September 2.
Inspections open at 9am and the sale begins at midday, an open cry auction also interfaced with AuctionsPlus.
