A 19.2-micron fleece ram from Alfoxton stud, Armidale, topped the show ram performance class at Dubbo National Show and Sale for breeders Chris and Lucinda Clonan.
Alfoxton 14-0018, a son of Roseville Park 09-0014 and out of an Alfoxton ewe with East Strathglen bloodlines, weighed a massive 151 kilograms.
He showed a fat depth of 7.5 millimetres and an eye muscle depth of 39.5mm and fleece value of $162.88.
Out of a score of 500, the Alfoxton ram scored 429 points including 73 out of 100 for frame and confirmation, 15 out of 20 for shearability, 21 out of 30 for skin quality, 141 out of 160 for fleece value, 94 out of 100 for body weight and a perfect 45 out of 45 for fat depth.
The ram’s wool measurements showed a standard deviation of (SD) 3.4, coefficient of variation (CV) of 13.8 per cent and comfort factor (CF) of 99.9pc. His total fleece weight was 15.76kg.
The ram, judged reserve champion sale ram, was purchased by D.J. and N.D. Jackson and Co., Kojonup, Western Australia for $6000. Mr Jackson also took home a second Alfoxton ram for $3000.
Alfoxton also placed forth on 424 points with Alfoxton 14-0022, a 155kg ram with 20.4 micron fleece valued at $158.42.
Alfoxton was the only stud to have rams over 150kgs in the sale.
In second place was a fine wool ram sold by last year’s top place getter, Robert Harding of Glendonald stud, Nhill, Victoria.
The 146kg ram, Glendonald 4.28, had the a fleece value of $163.86, a fat depth of 6.5mm and an EMD of 35.5mm.
Out of 500, the Glendonald ram scored 80 out of 100 for frame and confirmation, 89 from 100 for bodyweight, a perfect 45 out of 45 for fat depth, 33 of 45 for EMD, 14 out of 20 for shearability, 25 out of 30 for skin quality and 142 of 160 for fleece value points, leaving him with a total of 428 points.
The ram’s wool measurements showed a 18.7-micron fibre diameter fleece, 2.8 SD, 15pc CV, and 99.8pc CF. His total fleece weight came in at 16.07kg.
Not to be outdone, another Glendonald ram, Glendonald 4.68 came in at a close third on 427 points. In the top three rams, only one point separated them all.
Another heavy ram, Glendonald 4.68, weighed in at 145kg and returned a fleece value of $157.86.
By Glendonald 2.10, the 20.6-micron ram cut a fleece weight of a 5.59kg, had an EMD of 35.5mm and fat depth of 8mm.
His scores included 82 from 100 for frame and confirmation, 31 from 45 for EMD, 16 out of 20 for shearbility, a high 28 of 30 for skin quality and 137 from 160 for fleece value points.
In fifth place came a 21.5-micron Towalba ram sold by the Kopp family, Peak Hill, for $8000.
Weighing 144kg, Towalba 4.29 returned the highest fleece value with $184.33 and scored the perfect 160 out of 160 for his fleece value. He was on equal 424 points with the forth placed Alfoxton ram.
Nerstane stud, Woolbrook was next with their $20,000 sale ram that went to a Uruguay stud.
The 19.1 micron ram had another impressive fleece value of $170.44 weighing in at 136kg. He landed just one point behind on 423.
Nerstane 44 had an fat depth of 5.5mm and 39mm EMD. His fleece measurements were 2.8 SD, 14.7pc CV and 99.8pc CF.