WESTVALE Merinos achieved a top of $7750 and average of $1228 at the annual ram sale at “Westvale”, Wollun, on Wednesday.
Stud principals Leo and Judy Blanch sold 38 of the 48 catalogued rams for a clearance of 79 per cent.
In the breakdown, seven of eight two-and-a-half year old rams sold to a top of $7750 and average of $3035 and 31 of the 40 hogget rams sold to a top of $1900 and average of $819.
Repeat clients Tony and Janet Gall, Wilson’s Creek Merinos, Uralla, bought the top ram, a 17.4-micron ram weighing 126 kilograms.
The ram had a standard deviation (SD) of 3.1-mircon, coefficient of variation (CV) of 17.9pc, a comfort factor (CF) of 99.9pc and worm egg count (WEC) of -52.
The ram will be used in the Wilson’s Creek stud flock of nearly 300 ewes.
“I’ve been watching him for a while and I think he’s one of the best Westvale rams I’ve seen for years,” Mr Gall said.
“He’s a good stud sheep with a magnificent stylish, crimpy wool.
“He’s a sheep that’s going to help us improve our wool cut, but retain our superfine wool quality to supply the Italian spinners market.”
Max, Andrew and Sam Rayner, Grathlyn Merinos, Mudgee, purchased the second highest selling ram for $4000.
The sale’s volume buyer was the McLachlan Group, “Glenclair”, Bendemeer, who purchased eight rams for $700 each.
John Chappell, “Bridgewater”, Dundee, and Geoff Lenehan, “Woodford”, Tuena, each bought six rams for averages of $1200 and $700 respectively.
Frank Tobin, “Fairfield”, Guyra, bought five rams for an average of $800.
The sale was conducted by Landmark Armidale and Schute Bell Badgery Lumby, with John Settree, Landmark, the auctioneer.