The University of Nevada, Reno operates the Great Basin Research & Extension Center, a 644-acre working ranch located in Eureka County’s Diamond Valley. At the facility Rafter 7 Merino sheep are raised and tracked as to their development.
The Great Basin Research & Extension Center in Eureka County’s Diamond Valley opened in September of 2020. This 644-acre ranch was donated to the University by Ruby Hill Mining Company, LLC. The farm/ranch was opened and taken from sagebrush to alfalfa in the 1960’s by the Machacek family. The Machacek’s started the farm/ranch when the valley was opened up to farming with the last Homestead Act community offering from the government.
The annual ram sale has been held in Eureka since the mid-1950’s (see the ram sale story in Our Past section this edition on page 4). This year a total of 201 rams were offered to buyers from around the country. Approximately 8 buyers were on hand to buy some of the finest Merino, Rafter 7 and AI Imperial rams available to add to their outfits.
The University provided a lamb luncheon to the prospective bidders and guests. The lamb burgers that were grilled were exceptional and served with salad and cookies. The rams were set in pens of four to six in each pen. Buyers bid on one, and when they were successful in the bid, they were then offered the rest of the animals in that pen for the same price. If they were not taken by that buyer the remainder of the rams were re-offered and auctioned off again until each ram was either sold or if not, the next pen was offered by the auctioneer, until all 32 pens were offered.
In the informational book given to buyers each ram was listed with information regarding their birth performance, including: date of birth, single or twin, horn status and weight as of last weighing. Other information considered by the buyers was the wool data, which is the best wool available according to the research center and many other wool experts. The wool, which is known as so fine and soft as to make the Queen’s undergarments, is measured by the center and recorded for the buyers to consider when bidding.
Wool from these sheep has been processed and many items such as blankets and scarves are available at the university store and online. Buyers were also able to purchase these items at the sale in Eureka. Bidding for the rams was, as is at all auctions, slow at the start. Each bidder takes the time to see how the bidding is going to run by how the first bids are thrown out. The bidding then takes off and the auction moves from pen to pen. The rams take it all in stride. The bidders bought rams for up to near $2,000 each and as mild bids for $450 for some rams. This year some of the rams were from AI births from donor rams in Australia.
The Eureka County Star wishes to thank Scott Huber, the project director, for the invitation to attend and to have liberty and access to the sale. For more information about this project go to: naes.unr.edu/ram-sale/. The next sale will be in Eureka Nevada on September 11, 2027.
