East Loddon Merinos hosted its seventh annual ram sale, on-property at Warwillah, Wanganella, last week.

109 poll Merino rams were offered at the sale, with 92 sold on the day.

Last week's rain and chilly conditions did little to dampen the auction action, with a top price of $6,250 paid.

The sale price was an increase on the 2024 top price of $5,000 and the highest price paid since 2021.

Across the sale, prices averaged to $2,540.

Four generations of the Hooke family have been breeding Merinos for more than a century, under the East Loddon brand.

The stud is currently led by Tom and Sarah Hooke.

East Loddon principal Tom Hooke (left) with clients, Sandigo graziers Dave Anderson and Matt Anderson at the sale at Warwillah, near Wanganella last week.

David Rankin, Kym Hannaford, Tom & Ian Lugsdin

East Loddon Merino Stud founder, Bill Hooke, with stud team member Rose Nevinson. Ms Nevinson has been breeding her own Merino flock since the tender age of 16, and was recently awarded the 2025 Future Merino Breeder Scholarship.