The Woodpark and Woodpark Poll blood flocks had a great run of sales in the Spring Merino Breeders’ sales, topping at the renowned Hay, Jerilderie and Wycheproof sales last year.
Stock and Land’s store market analyst Murray Arnel said the Huggins family’s top priced offering at Jerilderie had “capped off a special month of sales for the Woodpark Poll stud as it collected a major double”.
At Hay, the Butcher family’s Bronte, Mossgiel, bred Woodpark Poll blood 1.5 year old ewes made the sale top price of $274 in what Mr Arnel called a “sizzling” sale.
In October, Mr Arnel wrote in the Stock and Land that the Jerilderie sale had backed up the Hay results:
“In a sale lasting only one hour, young ewes made to a high of $263 a head in a highly competitive and evenly priced Merino breeders’ sheep sale at Jerilderie. Competing for the John Wells Memorial Shield (for highest priced pen of sheep in the yard) the Huggins family, Eurolie, secured sale honours for the highest priced yard of 1.5 year-olds with their Woodpark Poll blood 15-drop ewes sold at $263/head.
“For Stephen and Carol Huggins it was their first win of the prestigious John Wells Shield which has been highly prized among the district’s prominent sheep breeding community.
“Stephen Huggins said they were fortunate that in such a wet year their property Eurolie, south-east of Hay, had not had the rain as most others.
Although it was wet enough, their slightly drier weather allowed their Woodpark Poll ewe hoggets to grow and bloom on the improved season. In other Jerilderie sale results, Donald and Ann Bull’s Woodpark Poll blood, Irroy bred ewes from Conargo, ewes sold at $258/head.
The Studleigh, Deniliquin, bred 1.5yo ewes made $250/hd. The Sleeman family’s, “Riversdale”, Woodpark Poll blood ewes made the second top price for older ewes of $158.”
And at Wycheproof it was another healthy day out for Merino breeders when the highly regarded Fernihurst Estate bred 1.5yo, longstanding Woodpark Merino blood ewes topped the offering at $224/head.