THERE was a big improvement on clearance and prices at this year's Alfoxton Merino sale, Armidale.
The on property sale was conducted on Monday and topped at $2600.
51 of the 63 rams offered were sold to an average of $1423, which was about $300 higher than last year's average.
Repeat buyers John and Jeannette Wark, "Arawa", Walcha, purchased lot 11 for $2600.
The 18 month old ram sired by Y09-082 had a fibre diameter of 15.6 micron and a comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.
The Warks were impressed with the rams co-efficient of variation (CV) of 19.3 per cent and standard deviation (Stdev) of 3.0-micron.
The ram will be used on the Warks' commercial Merino fat lamb operation which is mainly a wool enterprise.
The Warks produce a fibre diameter of about 16.5 micron but are aiming to put more weight on their flock.
Mr Wark said he liked the size and density of the ram and it's good style of wool.
"It had most things that I wanted," he said.
The volume buyers of the sale were Noel and Judy de Ferranti, "Lindon Park", Bathurst.
The repeat buyers purchased 17 rams to top at $2200 and average $1223.
"Lindon Park" manager, Jeremy Woods, said they liked the Alfoxton rams' wool cut and frame, and the fact they were well balanced.
The commercial operation joins about 6500 ewes a year and they have been focusing on trying to improve the wool cut in their ewes and flock.
"We've been focusing on good wool, frame and wool cut," Mr Woods said.
Stud principal Chris Clonan was very pleased with the result of the sale and said it would have had a lot to do with good rain at the beginning of the season.
"This time last year it was very dry," he said.
"This year saw a big improvement with a few extra buyers and volume buyers."
