Sale set to grow

	Sale set to grow

	Natalie Holmes 30-Oct-06

		Buyer Mary Shannon looks over her new ram with Elders district wool manager Trevor Nicholson and Robert Mudford of Parkdale Merino Stud.

	A top-selling ram has fetched $2300 at the SRS Central Genetics sale in Wellington on Saturday, despite the tough economic climate

	The 17-month-old old, bred by the Parkdale Merino Stud near Collie, was sold to Peter and Mary Shannon, of 'Happy Valley,' between Forbes and Grenfell.

	The ram sale was only the second to be hosted by the local alliance, which is composed of the Boxleigh Park, AMM, Glenwood, Hilltop, Miramoona, Mumblebone and Parkdale Merino Studs.

	"It is still in its infancy," Elders district wool manager Trevor Nicholson said.

	"But I believe in five years time, it will rival other stud sales within the Central West."

	Mr Nicholson believes that SRS Central Genetics will continue to thrive.

	"I know for a fact that four other studs want to join next year."

	However, he said only SRS breeders can become part of the group.

	Mr Nicholson said it was pleasing to see that Wellington had shown a high clearance rate of 88 per cent, at an average of $750, and at the end of the day, only eight rams were passed in.

	Of the seven studs involved, only Hilltop Merinos had 100 per cent clearance.

	According to Mr Nicholson, rams being passed in at auction was a sign of the times.

	"It's the conditions and a sign of the prevailing drought. People are spending their money on (necessities) such as grain."

	"It's disappointing the clearance wasn't 100 per cent but we are pleased considering the season."

	While Parkdale Stud co-owner Don Mudford had a grin from ear to ear thanks to his top-selling ram, purchasers Mary and Peter Shannon were also excited about their new breeder.

	Weighing in at 105kg with a 17.5 micron, Mrs Shannon said they had their eye on the ram they bought before the sale even began.

	"It was the ram we wanted, we didn't know he was going to be the highest price."

	Mrs Shannon said they were happy with their purchase because they know the family and therefore the breeding sire.