News & Events

Article in North West Mazazine 19 December 2011

Ram Sale - Review - September, 2011

Ram Sale - Details - September, 2011

McGrath Foundation Ram to $1800

At the Karbullah/Boyanga Annual Ram sale on Monday, 19^th September at the Goondiwindi Showground, the Murphy’s sold poll merino ram number  100115 for the Foundation, with a twelve month weight of 94 kg,  for $1800.  With the contribution from the AWN Pastoral Pty Ltd, Brisbane waivering the selling costs, the  gross proceeds will be on its way to the  McGrath Foundation and for breast cancer support  and awareness. 

The families of Bruce and Allan Rae of Bungunya were the successful bidders, with the Murphy’s wishing to thank all the underbidders from Winton in north, Stanthorpe in the east, Dirranbandi in the west and many northern New South Wales sheep breeders assisting in the competition to secure the hansom beast.   The Rae family also picked up an additional 10 rams. 

On the day, there was a total of 159 rams sold with a sale average of $1285.  Full Australian Sheep Breeding Values for carcass and wool were on display for each ram to assist in top genetic selections, creating some stiff competition for the top rams on the day.  Top price $4100 was paid for two rams.  One purchased by John and Mirella O’Sullivan, Dirranbandi and the second Shane and Jodi Axford from Winton both enterprises breeding  commercial sheep. 

The Murphy’s were very pleased with the  the results especially since it is commercial producers were showing the confidence.  There were a good crowd of people, with some 9 enterprises buying more than 7 rams on the day.  Of the 159 sold, 112 polls averaged $1401, and 47 horns averaging $1077 with a definite swing to polls both volume and price.

Ram Sale Pink ram Qld Ctry Life August - Click on to link to article of Aug 2011

Ram Sale details for 2010:

 

GOONDIWINDI Merino stud breeders Mark and Vicki Murphy held their 8th annual ram sale Monday 20th September at the Goondiwindi Showgrounds, where a quality line up of 140 mixed stud Karbullah Poll Merinos and Boyanga Meateor Merinos were offered, and cleared, to an overall $4600 top $1345 average.

With the district enjoying a very wet spring, the strong turnout of 40 buyers demonstrated the collective lift across the sheep industry.

A total of 80 Karbullah Poll Merino rams sold to a $1380 average and the day's top of $4600; while 60 Boyanga Meateor Merinos topped at $3000 and averaged $1295.
Stud principal Mark Murphy said the sale results were indicative of the definite preference towards poll rams on the day.

The top-priced ram of the day, a 2009 drop (twin) Karbullah Poll Merino, fetched $4600 when the Taylor family from Mumblebone Merino Stud at Wellington outbid the competition to secure the sale.

Chris Horton from Marrawarra Partnership at "Glenhurst", Nyngan, took the second top-priced ram (also a Karbullah Poll Merino) for $4200.

Boyanga Meateor Merino's best ram went for $3000 to Longreach buyers Pat and Sue Hegarty from "Colanya"; the couple also purchasing an additional three rams to an overall average of $1767 for their overall selection.

There were plenty of volume buyers at the sale including locals Trevor and Linda Rissman from "Rosevale", at Goondiwindi; who took a total of five rams that topped $2100 twice and average $1740.

John and Mirella O'Sullivan from "Littleton" at Thallon secured more of the top-end of the rams at $3700 and $3400 respectively for Karbullah Poll Merinos; with a total of five purchases averaging $2343.

Winton bidders Shane and Jody Axford of Matilda Grazing Company at Queensland took 8 Karbullah Poll Merino rams that topped $2100 twice and averaged at $1444.
The sale conducted by AWN Pastoral Company (a division of Australian Wool Network, Brisbane).

Queensland manager for the company, Bill Cowley, attended the sale - and said the results had demonstrated the Murphy's commitment to quality Merino stud stock.
"The big benefit of using Karbullah Poll Merinos and Boyanga Meateor Merino rams is that buyers can choose what they want in a sire." he said.

"The Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV) selection process allows woolgrowers to personally design their flock."

"By using these rams, a commercial grower can 'design' a flock based around improving individual traits such as; early maturity and exceptional carcass traits, wool cut, wool type, worm resistance, lambing percentage, and twinning rates.
"Providing buyers with the ASBV data is a real plus in marketing of the Murphy's rams."

Buyers showed very strong local support; but came from as far away as Winton and Hughenden in north Queensland and from Nyngan to Wellington in New South Wales.
Mark Murphy, Karbullah Poll Merino & Boyanga Meateor Merinos principal said that he and wife Vicki were exceptionally pleased with the overall increase in their sale averages and the fact that buyers were back to maximise their potential in investments.

The auction was conducted by a combination of Open Cry auctioneering and the Helmsman system, by agent AWN Pastoral's (Australian Wool Network) John Croake, field representative and stud stock agent for AWN Pastoral at Tamworth.

- SHANNA ROWLANDS 3

 

Sale Catalogues and information for download

• Click Here for Helmsman Sale Lots 1 - 80
• Click Here for Auction Sale Lots 81 - 140
• Click Here for List of Sires of Rams
• Click Here for Key to Dates and Codes used in Catalogues

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Ram Sale Report Sept 2009 Click Here

Shane & Jodi Axford's rams during the dust storm that tested everyone at the sale.

Southern Queensland Rural Report – ABC RADIO
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Vicki Wilson, Toowoomba

Recent article from Jim Watts on type of sheep we are producing and why?
> View

Southern Queensland wool producer hasn't mulesed for years
Arlie Douglas

A southern Queensland wool producer says he has found the answer to the mulesing conundrum and it's all in the breeding.
Mark Murphy from 'Karbullah' near Goondiwindi says he breeds soft-rolling-skin or SRS sheep and he has stopped mulesing completely.

The SRS breed was controversially developed by Dr Jim Watts in the 1970's and '80's and it's said to produce animals with high fleece weights of fine diameter wool.
Mr Murphy says he hasn't had to mules for four years.
"We actually did some of it in 2002 but then we stopped mulesing in 2004, so the last four drops of lambs haven't been done," he said.

"We had the sheep that we could get away with not having to mules as well, we were heading in that direction anyway, they're nice and plain, we come in very wrinkle free."
"It's a sheep that just doesn't have wrinkle on it, it's got a very soft supple sort of skin on it for wool production but because of the lack of wrinkles we can get away from mulesing which has been great."

Mr Murphy says they haven't had any abnormal trouble with fly strike.
"We'd have no more problems than anyone else, we don't have any body strike issues, we might have to apply some chemicals on their tail occasionally so other than that no troubles at all."

He says the type of sheep he has is not what the industry is traditionally used to.
"The more traditional part of the industry is having a bit of a battle to get their mind around it, it's not what they're used to, they like a couple of aprons up the front and that's what you see at all the sheep shows but unfortunately that's not where the industry is going... The customer is saying now that they don't want their sheep mulesed."

Testimonials from clients.

 

 

Trevor and Linda Rissman, Rosedale Past Co, Yelarbon Qld with Champion Fleece of the show at Goondiwindi in 2008. This fleece went on to win the Champion unhoused fleece at the Roma State Sheep Show in May, 2008. They also took out champion pair of fleeces at Goondiwindi.

John and Morella O’Sullivan – ‘Littleton’ Thallon QLD – marked 114% in their maidens at 2008 and 130% in mature ewes in 2008.

 

The Axford family

 

Shane and Jodi Axford, “Blairmoor Station”, Winton Qld 4735.

Have been purchasing rams from us since 2003.
Positives they feel about Karbullah Poll Merinos. Quoted to saying
- “Genuine people with real passion for sheep and desire to see clients succeed”;

- “Provide excellent service to clients ie advice, ram replacements, sheep classing”;

- “Bench marking with other studs therefore ensuring you’re always moving forward”

- “The Sheep – plain body, long frame, good staple length; move well; great temperament. Also bred in tough conditions so always seem to do well when you get them home to Winton.”