QUEENLEE Merino rams sold to a top of $2500 and average of $898 at the 28th annual on-property sale at Uralla last Tuesday.
Fifty three of the 67 rams offered by the Carlon family sold for a clearance of 79 per cent.
The top ram was purchased by long-time client Richard Ward, “Millievale”, Guyra.
The ram, sired by Mr Incred, had a fibre diameter of 16.1-micron, standard deviation (SD) of 3.26-micron, yield of 77.9pc and comfort factor (CF) of 100pc.
The ram will be used in Mr Ward’s flock of 1000 commercial Merino ewes.
“I liked his size and bright wool style,” he said. “I look for bigger framed rams for a heavier wool cut, and I like the more traditional style wool.”
Mr Ward purchased a further two rams to average $1500.
Niangala wool producer, Robert Brazel, purchased the second highest ram for $2200.
The underbidder on the top priced ram, selected the M Ring 41st son on his presence and frame size. The ram had a fibre diameter of 14.9-micron, 2.93 SD, yield of 71.3pc and 99.95pc CF.
“He has nice soft wool and will cut a lot of it. He also cut above the percentage for clean fleece weight,” Mr Brazel said.
Volume buyer was Paul Mabbott, “Rockvale”, Kentucky, who purchased seven rams for a top of $1100 and an average of $872.
Long-time client Dan Healey, “Dry Creek”, Duramana, near Bathurst, purchased three rams for a top of $2100 and average of $1634; David and Cathy Lockyer, “Glendon”, Guyra purchased two rams averaging $1000 and Norm Heywood, “Willow Bank”, Bundarra, secured five rams to average $820.
Queenlee stud principal Philip Carlon was pleased with the overall sale which also included 600, 2011-drop August shorn ewes selling for an average of $112.25 per head.
The sale was conducted by Schute Bell Badgery Lumby and Landmark Armidale, with Graham Andrews, Schute Bell Badgery Lumby, taking the bids.
