Ten specially selected 2016 March shorn rams found a top of $15,000 averaging $5350.

In a season that was felt to be favourable for the Merino breed, with a wet start and very dry end, saw a 100 per cent clearance of 184 rams offered.

Ten specially selected 2016 March-shorn rams found a top of $15,000 averaging $5350.

Also offered were 174, 2016-drop selected April-shorn rams.

These topped at $11,000 and reached an average of $2360.

Return buyer, Wal Reardon, “Springmount”, Warialda, purchased the top-priced, 104.6 kilogram, specially selected two-tooth ram HEK 16.2100 with 19.2-micron wool, a standard deviation (SD) of  2.7 micron, coefficient of variation (CV) of 14.1 per cent and a comfort factor (CF) of 99.3 pc. 

“He is a good ram, very thick in the wool,” he said.

“These sheep are constitutionally tough, they stand up to a fair bit, that is their biggest attribute.”

The next highest price for the top 10 went to $5000, three times. 

Peffer Pastoral Company, Molong, bought five rams averaging $3700 including two of the top 10.

David Motley, H.M. Lowe and Company, Yeoval, returned again to pick up the 103.5 kilogram two-tooth selected ram HEK 16.1475, with 19-micron wool, 3.1 micron SD, a 16.3 pc CV and a 99.2 pc CF for the second top price of $11,000. 

“He has a beautiful pure wool with a good staple length. He has a lot of wool on him,” he said.

“We hope that he is a high wool cutter and he is the style of sheep we are looking for.

“We have been purchasing from Egelabra for over 30 years.”

Their draft of four rams averaged $6000.

Buying from the stud since 1986, volume buyer was Andrew McGrath, Womboin Station, Girilambone.

They run 7000 ewes and want to continue improvement the are seeing through using the heavier cutting Egelabra sheep, also renowned for their bright white, soft wool.  

He paid a top of $5000 and averaged $2440 for his draft of 25 rams.

“I’m looking for true mediums, good free wool growing rams,” he said.

 “The rams were presented well and there was an even line of sheep.”

The Beames family, “Edgefield”, Dunedoo, took home a draft of 15 which average of $1750.

Their top price was $2000, three times.

Andrew Last, “Burra East”, Muttama, ended with a draft of 10. He topped at $3500 averaging $2675.

Dutton Park Pastoral Company, Young, collected a draft of eight.

They averaged $2875.

The Veech family, Carinda, picked up a draft of six averaging $1750.

Also with a draft of six were the Wilder family from Grenfell, averaging $2208.

Geoff Bush, Barmedman, collected a draft of six averaging $2458.

“Eenaweena” ram depot manager, Matthew Bell, was happy with the sale.

It was the first for him in this position.

“My number one ram made the top dollars.” he said.

“I have traveled to all of the field days with him (the ram), it was so pleasing to have him at top price.”

Auctioneer, Paul Dooley, thought the average was high due to the wool market being stronger.

“There was solid support from old-time buyers, but some new ones too, it was a very strong sale,” he said.

Landmark stud stock agent, Brad Wilson, believed the sheep presented well.

“There was a good depth through the draft, the best for a number of years,” he said.

“They are going to very different climates in Queensland, southern NSW and Victoria.

“It has been a very good day and the sheep sold accordingly.”

Egelabra general manager, Cam Munro, felt it was an absolutely brilliant sale.

“The group have done it on their own,” he said.

“They have had a great start and went through the dry summer very well.

“The presentation was fantastic.

“The un-housed sale was very pleasing. We have a lot of commercial based clients.

“It enabled the customers who have a lower budget to get a ram as well, everyone has a budget and I am pleased that everyone was able to top up.”

The sale was conducted by Elders Dubbo and Landmark Wilson Russ and guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth.