The Coryule Merino stud’s 12th annual on-farm sale produced a top call of $7,500 and an average of $2,022 as buyers competed strongly for quality rams.
Sale results and demand
Held at Willowvale, the auction cleared 47 of 51 polled and horned Merino rams offered. The top-priced ram, Lot 3a Coryule 250021, was a late addition to the catalogue and was purchased by graziers David and Michelle Elsom, Macarthur, for $7,500 at Tuesday’s sale.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Rams offered | 51 |
| Rams sold | 47 |
| Top price | $7,500 |
| Average price | $2,022 |
| 2025 comparatives (38 rams) | Average $1,630; top $4,000 |
Ram details and buyers
Lot 3a weighed 109 kilograms and carried a 14.9-micron fleece with a 2.5 standard deviation, 16.9 coefficient of variation and a 99.7pc comfort factor. The Elsoms plan to use the sire across their operation of about 2,000 ewes, split between Merinos and crossbreds.
“With a good spirit of bidding among a few new buyers, that's always positive,” said Coryule Merino stud manager Craig Trickey
Mr Trickey described the sale as exceptional and welcomed the presence of a number of new buyers. He emphasised that, while new genetics remain available, the stud aims to continue breeding its preferred type of sheep.
Trade context
The 2026 sale represented an improvement on Coryule’s 2025 clearance, where a consignment of 38 rams recorded an average of $1,630 and a top price of $4,000. Buyers at the 2026 sale included repeat purchasers such as Shayne Bedggood, Napoleons, who bought four rams and acquired his first polled ram from Coryule.
- Top-priced ram: Lot 3a Coryule 250021 — $7,500, purchased by David and Michelle Elsom, Macarthur
- Sale clearance: 47 of 51 rams sold
- Average price: $2,022, up from $1,630 in 2025
Buyers cited structural soundness and fleece quantity as drivers of demand for the top-priced lot. The sale demonstrates continued buyer willingness to pay premiums for rams that combine conformation with strong fleece traits.
