Classings: In The Race and Classic Merino Ram Sale

23/06/2026

The commercial flock of Roger and Joanne Nankivell is always a pleasure to class considering the investment with genetics since day dot. Years of Derella Downs/Pyramid Poll infusions now add a Westwood Poll dynamic and the job’s right!

We snuck the classing in amongst the EPASCO’s and the moisture deluge thanks to Roger storing the 500 or so ewe hoggets and a handful of rams in shelter prior of which I was thankful for.

The Westwood Poll purchase in Lot 5 at Esperance Ram Sale ‘25 still looks as good as the day he was purchased at $5,800. With a YCFW 33 and fibre elite still, we’re expecting great things ..

22/06/2026

Had we seen a weather map looking like the one pictured here prior to any job, a day or two in Classings Lab may have been a priority but ..

Good planning from EPASCO manager extraordinaire Nick Ruddenklau Karina Ruddenklau saw us almost damp free due to a huge undercover area at the new shearing shed and managed to dodge other showers throughout the whole week barring one day of total inclemency.

Stock managers Manon down south with Jay and Sarah covering the northern sections of the property presented around 5,000 ewe hoggets in top order part in due to a ripper season and genetics doing its stuff!

Micron reduction, fertility lift, (happening big time), less tight skin induced wastage referring to colour, water stain and fleece rot, fleece weight retention and a lamb that bounces out of the blocks of full priority here now with all genetic gain pointing to the Welke family’s Westwood Poll, Cascade WA. Scott Welke James Welke

Say no more photos attached!

21/06/2026

There will be more photos to follow of the week long classing at EPASCO farms, Condingup WA.

This one though encapsulates what can happen when a new genetic, rigorous and at time ruthless classing, fresh new management, a new set of fresh classing eyes, realistic genetic purchasing power and top shelf staff is deployed to influence a once bland merino flock.

The whole joint this lambing may average over 100% lambing, all ewes in, for the first time … forever!

The sun shone only once over the whole duration just as I’d asked Merino warrior Jay to draft off a few of our classed-in Specials for a photo opportunity.

The whole Esperance shire is experiencing a ripper season thus that unusual green type of colouring that my State hasn’t witnessed for a bit (until now) in the surrounds.

19/06/2026

So, from the mightily healthy Eyre Peninsula to the SA Sire Evaluation Trial Field Day last Friday to complete a very industry induced week.

Go to South Australian Merino Sire Evaluation for a more detailed summary of the day but this photo depicts what can happen when a Classer suggests a beer shout to any of his clients who attend such events.

It beats last years effort of just Pepper Well Poll’s Hansi Graetz and I holding up the bar for an hour or so. It was a good wind down from the day and naturally productive conversations ensued!💥

Calcookara Stud
Benefield Poll
Flairdale Poll
GullenGamble Poll
Pimbena

19/06/2026

Wet fibre suggests tavern time! 🍺

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

The quality trilogy continued last week June 9-12 with the final stop of my classing run at the Prime family’s, Nantoura Poll Merino, classing the ‘25 drop ewe hoggets with stunned joy!

EP, with what I see in my travels and hear is having a ripper season all over hence our style of genetics add water is visually stunning on both fronts, growth and fibre quality.

Just like the Darren Dob O'Brien post previous to this, the pictures tell all and need not much more description.

I quick glance at the Nantoura pick young rams (prem fibre shots) were of equal staggering quality.

Mostly Nantoura own sire results here yet infusions of Ramsgate Poll and Gunallo have added to the intrigue at this joint.

The purchase of the dispersed Pimbena Poll stud ewes last year in almost its entirety sees a huge influx of a genetic that can only add to the excitement here as it is!

All ewe hogget long wool shots are of eight months growth …

Thanks for the in shed breakfast to crank things up for starters Chris!👌🏼

💥 Nantoura Poll On Property Ram Sale
Tuesday August 25th

17/06/2026

Made it to Darren Dob O'Brien’s O’Brien Poll in reasonable time the night before sighting this years young hogget polls.

An extraordinary day followed surrounded by stock of stunning growth, backends loaded with chump, leading trait ASBV’s yet somehow hosting the fibre that makes our clients standouts amongst true and genuine dual purpose circles.

No need to rant too much here as the photos describe all and led by the ringmaster himself! Hey Jodie, howzabout sliding my pick into Classic’26?!!🥴

💥 O’Brien Poll Ram Sale:
Thursday July 30th
Wudinna Showgrounds SA

17/06/2026

With the King’s birthday at one end and the SA Sire Evaluation at the other, it squeezed the week up a bit but not to hinder three Eyre Peninsula classing jobs of extreme class!

Starting with one of the most enjoyable commercial classing jobs of the year, the ewe hoggets of Trevor and Craig Gameau’s were first rate as the captures here suggest.

17u young girls of high and correct density, fertility, whiteness and low classing wastage is a testament to the Gameau management, Merino studs of progressive choice, realistic budget and careful joining procedures - for many years single ram matings were paramount as to assess progeny without bias.

(DNA testing for parentage now the attractive choice except for the out of kilter costs for the commercial grower I feel.)

Genetics here are the crux of such outstanding results. Local Nantoura Poll and Calcookara Poll now the dominant choice over an impressive background of Superior Wool Merinos, Lucernbrae Poll, Darren Dob O'Brien’s O’Brien Poll and further back, Ridgway Advance, Poll.

Many of these incomers have been sourced at Classic sales at very reasonable outlays of $3,000-$4,000 max considering the exceptional quality.

Eight month wool growth here …