Continued strong local support has seen another positive result for Avonside as the Merino stud continues to build.
The eighth annual Avonside Merinos on property sale held at “Muniong”, Cooma saw an increase of 20 per cent in number of rams offered by the King family to 36 rams.
Thirty two of the rams offered sold for an average price of $1219 recorded with a top price of $3700 reached.
The top money was paid by Tasmanian wool grower, Adrian Carpenter, “Connorville”, Cressy for a son of AI sire Roseville Park 3008.
The ram attracted attention early on due to his outlook and had a wool test of 17.9 micron with a standard deviation (SD) of 2.7, co-efficient of variation (CV) of 15.1, and comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.
Mr Carpenter, who has been purchasing Avonside rams for the past four years, described the ram as “a free growing sheep with long staple and good white wool”.
“I admire his frame and squareness” he said.
Not far behind Dalgety producers, Martin and Liz Walters, BC Paternship, purchased the second top price ram for $3600.
Again sired by Roseville Park 3008, he had a wool test of 17.6 micron with 3.1 SD, 17.6 CV, and comfort factor of 99.4 pc.
Avonside principal, Simon King, said “the Roseville Park 3008 sire is a son of Roseville Park 38 retained by Roseville Park that has been used at Avonside through artificial insemination”.
“We have not used any RP38 sons prior so he has been a bit of an outcross for us and worked really well,” he said.
The third top price of $2200 was recorded twice.
Connorville Station added to their top price purchase with a Cottage Park 064 son who tested 18.5 micron with a 2.9 SD, 15.7 CV and a comfort factor of 99.8 pc.
Local producer, Doug Constance, “Werralong”, Berridale, purchased an Avonside 1002 son who tested 16.8 micron with 3.3 SD, 19.6 CV and a comfort factor of 99.5 pc.
An undisclosed Elders Cooma client led the volume buyers putting together a draft of six rams for an average of $766 paying to a top of $1000.
Another Elders Cooma client, P. Bottom, purchased five rams for a $1140 average paying to a top of $1700.
Connorville Station purchased a total of four rams for a $1950 average.
Letompe Partnership, “Letompe”, Ando, operated economically purchasing three rams for $700 each.
Mr King said they were pleased with the offering and how they presented for sale.
“The result gives us great enthusiasm to continue to grow the sale and continue in the direction we are heading.
“Great support from repeat clientele was shown in, particular local producers,” Mr King said.
The helmsman sale was conducted by Elders Cooma.