Blink Bonnie Merino stud, held their on-property sale at Tarana last weekend, with a crowd of return buyers helping the sale to a $2200 top price.
Twenty-four rams sold for a $2200 top and a $1008 average.
The Blink Bonnie draft was commended by auctioneer, David Simpson, Elders, Bathurst, for presenting consistent, well maturing rams, with a fleece cut and wool colour to match.
The top ram fetched $2200 and was sold to repeat buyer of five years, Stephen Messner, S.A. and M.A. Messner, “Illabunda”, Rock Forest.
The Poll Merino ram weighed 81.5 kilograms and carried a 20.3-micron fleece, 3.2-micron standard deviation (SD), 15.6 per cent coefficient of variation (CV) and a 99.5 per cent comfort factor (CF).
Mr Messner said he has continued to select rams at Blink Bonnie because the sheep are proving profitable with their ability to match the climate his flock operates in.
“I came with an open mind today and I brought three Poll Merinos which I have never done before,” he said.
“The top ram was definitely the best In the shed and it just so happens that he was a poll.”
Mr Messner said after purchasing Blink Bonnie ewes in 2015, he had confidence in the testing of three Poll Merino rams over his ewes.
Three rams in total went home to “Illabunda”, for a $1266 average.
The volume buyer on sale day was Grant Toole, Spartan Pastoral, Peel, through Elders, Bathurst, who snapped up eight rams, topping $1400, for a $1012 average.
Mr Toole, also a repeat buyer for five years, said his 3500 Merino breeding ewe flock only incorporates Blink Bonnie genetics as each year he finds improvement.
Mr Toole said Spartan Pastoral has performed well in recent wether trials, saying the team came second for highest wool cut.
“When we select a draft of rams, we focus on rams who produce long wool – we are shearing every eight to nine months now because we are getting the length - which means more return,” he said.
“In particular we look for long individual pencil and staples – the wool and style of the rams we brought today are brilliant for what we breed.”
The line of rams will be put to work over select ewes in November for an autumn lambing.
Blink Bonnie Merino stud, principal, Peter Moore said, for 20 years he has selected for higher fleece weight and lower micron figures and throughout the seasons, he is achieving forward progress.
He said the high amount of return buyers proves they are experiencing quality results and making a return on their investment.
“Our sheep offer value for money – they are getting top genetics for a good price.
“We have reached a big improvement on draft consistency which is showing this sale.
“I think the clients are reaching genetic progress within their flocks – they are getting the proof that we breed productive and versatile sheep.”
Mr Moore also commended the top ram for its excellent wool and scale of body, with an unbelievable tip.
Six-hundred and twenty-seven commercial ewes and wethers also recorded a total clearance, with commercial ewes, to a $125 top, and wethers to $88.
The sale was conducted by Elders, Bathurst.