STRONG family involvement and commitment to breeding the traditional superfine type of wool was evident at the Hillcreston and Hillcreston Heights 34th annual on-property ram sale at Bigga on November 10.
Selling at their Hillcreston Heights property, the Picker family had a successful day selling 51 rams for a 100 per cent clearance and a $2216 average.
Thirteen stud rams topped at $5750 and averaged $3231 while 38 specially selected rams sold to a $3250 top and $1684 average.
Repeat buyers, Dr Richard Geeve, and his mother, Bronwyn Geeve, “Stoneleigh”, Weabonga, secured the top price ram for $5750.
The sale topper 15-97, was a stud ram by the 425 sire, with recorded fleece measurements of 15.2 in the micron, 2.4 standard deviation (SD), 15.9pc fibre diameter coefficient of variation (CV) and 100pc comfort factor (CF) with a 97 curvature.
Running 400 ewes, Dr Geeve said they were focused on building their ewe base and the 15-97 ram would be the “foundation” for where they wanted to go.
“Our ewes are 15 micron. I am going to pick out the best of those and the top price ram will be put to them.
“The wool is consistent over the entire sheep,” he said.
Australian Wool Network Livestock, Uralla, snapped up the second top price ram, 15-9, for $4750. Sired by Snowy, the 15-9 ram measured 15.3 in the micron.
Hillcreston and Hillcreston Heights co-principal, Murray Picker, thanked all the people who had supported them.
“We are ecstatic that faith in traditional style and type of wool is started to pay dividends,” Mr Picker said.
Sam Picker from Hillcreston Poll Merinos, Bigga, sold four Poll Merino rams for a $2625 average.
The top Poll Merino was the 15-1 ram that sold to Tony Roche, Biala, for $3500.
By Hillcreston Poll Munro from an Avington stud Poll Merino ewe, the stud ram was 16.3 in the micron, 2.4 SD, 14.7pc CV and 100pc CF with a 95 curvature.
Peter and Neil Carey, Wee Jasper, were the largest volume buyers taking home seven rams for a $2000 average. Victorian buyers John Barty, Beverley Merinos, Redesdale, purchased five rams to a top of $4000 at and average $3250. The Connleys, Omeo, secured five rams for an average $2000.
Landmark conducted the sale with Rick Power as the auctioneer.
