Classings: In The Race and Classic Merino Ram Sale

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)

09/02/2026

08/02/2026

CLASSINGS CLASSIC 2025 SALE TOPPER
POLL BOONOKE 241328 at $21,000 and sold to Wood Park NSW.

08/02/2026

Strange that I never got around to posting a few captures of Classic’25 now five months back! Another great sale resisting the effects of persistent drought particularly in our State’s Mallee and Upper North.

My aim for Classic’26 naturally is bigger and better buoyed by the atmosphere created by extra service providers and stud displays and a throng of punters amongst a crowd estimated at 300 and over 100 registered buyers at last year’s sale.

Stay tuned for more info regarding the 2026 Classic Merino Ram Sale. There’s a few other reasons to be part of our great industry day on Monday September 7th at the mighty Murray Bridge Racing Club so stay tuned for that bit of detail Archie!💥

Merino SA
AWI Extension SA
South East Stud Merino Field Day
Merino WA
Nutrien Livestock - S.A. Stud Stock
Responsible Wool Standard - RWS
Elders SA Livestock & Clearing Sales
Quality Wool
Victorian State Merino Field Day
Australian Wool Innovation

05/02/2026