Classings: In The Race and Classic Merino Ram Sale

09/03/2026

… back to the comparisons via the ‘24/‘25 drop SA Sire Evaluation. Due to the ten sires used in both trials, the diversity amongst the progeny, all run in the same conditions for up to two years is quickly realised.

Zoom in and note the boofy headed catastrophe at left, loaded with burr, seed, shive, Ed Sheeran and anything else she can pick up in the paddock whilst grazing including hay roughage - head cover score 4. (Yep it gets worse! Score 5 would include a muffy face!)

Of similar production yet an easier care and a ‘fertile’ head void of irritation and associated problems, this girl grins at you in photo right - head cover score 1.

With my classing across four states that clean head is of paramount desire in all flocks. Once thought to represent light cutters, we now know differently as these production trials are dispelling many a merino myth that has plagued the industry for decades! 😜

08/03/2026

The ‘24 and ‘25 drop SA Sire Evaluation progeny were classed last Thursday and Friday March 5/6 at Turretfield with Paul Cousins assessing the required nine visual traits add a classing grade with myself assessing legs/feet/hocks into five trait classes.

There are more photos and descriptions to come but these captures typify not only what these trials are all about but also what my own regular job as a merino sheep classer generally consists of, comparisons.

Note photo 1 as a comparison of two backends, particularly with the back leg set/structure. The animal in tbe foreground could be seen as industry best compared to the wonky looking piece ahead of her, with back legs close and knee joints turning inward.

Photo 2 shows another big assed merino yet look at that dreadful hock structure. All entrants at both trials here have progeny that are unmulesed so it’s not hard to depict where the sheiz is going to land with legs like that and end up like miss wonky with a short dose of flies. (albeit treated pronto)

Photo 3 exhibited the most solid and meaty roasts all day long but what dropped her out of ‘stud’ class honours on the day and back to ‘flock’ was again that back leg structure. She tried hard to hide it with the wooliest legs of the arvo!

Photo 4 reflects more joy in the allrounder stakes with a hock score of 1 associated with this look and 5 for the pre mentioned disasters!

A big couple of days here with lots more to show over the next few posts …

08/03/2026

… and at THE perfect time of year! Do no wrong South East Stud Merino Field Days👌🏼💥

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any BIGGER …. it does!!!🐏🐑🐏🐑🐏🐑

South Australia’s BIGGEST one day sheep field day just keeps growing – with 55 Merino & Poll Merio studs on display.

That’s right – 55 Studs showcasing powerful, performance-bred rams, selected for structure, fleece quality, fertility, and real paddock results

Commercial Producers, Stud Breeders, Merino enthusiasts – If you’re serious about your flock’s performance, this is a lineup you need to see.

SA’s Merino event that everyone will be talking about is a grand opportunity to compare genetics ahead of the 2026 ram selling season

Mark the date on the calendar, so not to miss it

🗓️ WEDNESDAY 22nd July at Keith

South East Stud Merino Field Day Merino SA Merino WA NSW Stud Merino Breeders' Association Limited Victorian Stud Merino Sheep Breeders Stock Journal Elders SA Livestock & Clearing Sales Spence Dix & Co Classings: In The Race and Classic Merino Ram Sale Nutrien Livestock - S.A. Stud Stock Quality Wool Australian Wool Innovation Michell Wool Brecon Breeders

05/03/2026

Good morning!💥✌️

02/03/2026

After classing and subsequent ram selection at Lorelmo Poll, the next part of the adventure is on to Scott and Katie Macansh’s, Deepwater Station, Deepwater NSW.

Classing inside and out around this historic shearing shed (with the first shearing here in 1888) reeks of years gone by yet the flock has never been better.

Thanks to a strong base of Wallaloo Park Merino a few years back followed by Lorelmo Poll and more recently Glenwood Merinos sees genetics chiming in at its best.

Always a treat to catch-up with Scotts’ folks in the yards and had a great catch-up with Donald enjoying a glimpse of this years excellent drop.

Even at a meagre three months fibre growth, these young ewes were a breeze to assess considering their excellent staple length. Conformation issues are quite stark at this length too with the odd shoulder and hock problem standing out like the proverbial!

The local brewery was another treat and a nice wind down after a solid 1,000 ewe and ram classing day.

Had an hour to spend next morning and dropped into Chris Clonan’s, Alfoxton Merino near Armidale before flyout. Chris has always had an intrigue in the progression of the Classic Merino Ram Sale yet due to the different lambing drop in this part of the world, is unlikely to be able to support it with a ram or two - similar situation with Lorelmo too. (Feb 6-7th)

27/02/2026

An encouraging week for wool sales amid a strong AU$ and the biggest offering since Jan 23 with increases in both the Carding and Combing Sectors. WMI rose +23 to 1917ac/kg and the EMI was also up +23 to 1716ac/kg. Gains in these conditions signal a very positive market 🙌🐑 Thank you Australian Wool Innovation for the report.

26/02/2026

Daybreak start - Arno Bay SA this morning💥

26/02/2026

No surprises with the Ramsgate Poll classing over two Mondays a week apart during February with the ram and ewe weaner classing exhibiting all the top end traits the stud is renowned for.

More top notch progeny results from the stud’s own sires that now feature heavily along with intrusions from Willera Merinos, Leahcim and Lorelmo Poll sees the Keller boys and this Classer very happy with early proceedings.

First sighting of these will be at the South East Stud Merino Field Day at Keith in July of which Classings: are proud sponsors.

A great couple of days made easier with the workhorse like effort from Lachy and Henry in keeping the classing box full at all cost.

Tilly Keller the tech genius making sure all data was collected seamlessly without raising a wimper!👏🏼💥

19/02/2026

Always a pleasure to support and class the Cordingley family’s Lorelmo Poll Merino, a very relevant New England superfine stud with fibre quality, whiteness, muscle and structure on side. There’s a long history here now between our company and the family of which a bottle of seriously good red would need to be consumed to explain the depths of it all.

No On Property Auction as of old at this stage yet the ten rams I bought for two clients after grading them that morning were first class.

Peter Andre, Kangaroo Inn SA and Brian Wilson, near Ballarat Vic., are extremely happy with this genetic in maintaining fibre quality, micron retention and weather proof attributes and both parties allowing me to select the very best.

Ten rams in the $3,000-$4,000 grades realised the perfect selection loaded with all of the goodies associated with this top shelf outfit. Good catch-up too with my mates, John and Jules, Ed and Maggie yet still reeling from the hospitality! 🍷

16/02/2026

As a follow on to all of the previous merino gibberish post, the Esperance wing of the classing business has been a long and satisfying one that began back in 1985.

Rose and I head off in a Suburu Brumby Ute with kelpie in tow on request by Kev and Rob Rollond (of whose father and brother I classed for at Rockleigh SA) to class theirs and a few cousins’ hoggets in the Cascade area outta Esperance WA.

What evolved in those early years was, in most part, still in existence today albeit the next generation taking over the reigns of the pioneering folks!

We owe a lot to the four Rollond families (Kev and Sue pictured now retired into the best country town in Oz) who took us on initially add Derek and Stella Edwards, Ray and Bonnie Arnold, Wayne and Chris Walter Mike Welke and Leon Bowman that realised a two week classing stint annually for years.

Since then the list grew including Derella Downs Pyramid Poll Merino, Penrose Poll Merino, the Nick and Karina Ruddenklau managed EPASCO, Leigh and Karina West, Gibson, the Munglinup based Fetherstonhaugh family, Alan and Di Bassham and the Tihan Giliomee managed flock of Nev Welke’s.

The word spread into other areas of WA with the John and Felicity Beasley managed Frankland River Grazings’ Westfield property at Frankland, Brookdale Poll near Arthur River, Wayne Girando near Dinninup, Challara Poll Merino Stud and just recently, the Noel and Sandra Fowler family’s Rapanui just out of Williams all part of our exciting list.

The friendships sustained I hold in high regard as there have been almost forty year relationships with some that still continue today. Hospitality to the max add a car here and there instead of wasting valuable dosh on a hire version, use of Esperance town houses instead of motels and free booze and tucker added to the enjoyment!! (kidding)

… and that jewel of a town Esperance what can I say!

16/02/2026

A week long classing trip to the West for three stud jobs and one top end commercial version (that could be a stud tomorrow if they chose to) satisfied me to the max that our progressive genetics and subsequent persuasions are hitting the mark big time in the classing race.

I’m sure now that our careful concentration particularly in regard to ASBV’s for YEMD has enforced a redefined backend structure look including a more perfect hock set and stance.

I believe now that we are right up there with the ultimate rivals in this field, Darren Dob O'Brien and Jodie Reseigh-O'Briens’ excellent Dohne operation with those porky and chumpy backend setups.

Micron and fibre quality retention an important tangle here yet when monitored carefully, a good balance of traits can be achieved. All out pressure on EMD/Fat sees disastrous results after all of the hard work in getting our skins just right dammit!

Penrose Poll Merino Stud, Westwood Poll,
Challara Poll Merino Stud and Leigh and Karina Wests commercial enterprise near Gibson WA, all exhibited the described visual. (See photos)

The first progeny from Leahcim 233079, that $36,000 Classic’24 sale topper secured by Westwood with semen shares, was on show and sheesh, an outrageously good result. Maybe half of this year’s Esperance sale team will come from one main contributor!!

Following on from the studs excellent return to form at the Esperance’25 sale, the Penrose ewe and ram weaners blasted out more quality skins and conformation thanks in part to some new infusions from Leahcim, Benefield Poll Merino and Richmond Merinos.

The most underrated stud in the West, Challara Poll (albeit a ripper 2025 sale) again dished up such a great display of growthy poll merinos that I suggested to principal, Peter Wilkinson, that he could hold his on property sale … tomorrow!!

The recent addition of pure Leahcim ewes and the $25,000 Leahcim ram sold to BJ Whiting at Classic’24 will only enhance all that’s happening here.

Leigh and Karina Wests’ Karleigh empire boasts easily some of the best genetics in the county! Classic backends and elite fibre via primarily Westwood genetics with a dash of Ridgway Advance, Poll Merino, Ridgway Merinos and Ejanding Merino & Poll Merino saw a great days classing here add michelin rated hospitality!
(Feb 10-16)