Nerstane Merino Stud benefited from the high wool market at its 21st Annual Ram Sale on Friday, drawing a large group of buyers from across the country.
Up on the previous year, the McLaren family sold all 184 rams offered to average $2652.
Buyers from NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania were in attendance with a large quantity of rams sold to interstate buyers.
The Laurie family of Walcha purchased the top price ram, Nerstane 160667, for $6500.
The sale topper was sired by Nerstane 140407 and had a body weight (BW) of 106 kilograms, rib fat of three millimetres and eye-muscle depth (EMD) of 31mm. It was above average for clean fleece weight (CFW) at 115 per cent, as well as its indexes with a Nerstane Index of 150, Fibre Production Plus (FB+) Index of 158, and Merino Production Plus (MP+) Index of 161.
The second top price ram, Nerstane 160008, was bought by Peter Reimers, Stanthorpe, Queensland, for $6000.
Sired by Charinga 975, it weighed 111kg BW, and measured 4mm rib fat and 31mm EMD, with a Nerstane Index of 154 and CFW of 120pc.
Tasmanian buyers, Grove House Partnership, Jericho, purchased the top price Poll ram, Nerstane 160083, for $5250.
The high-price Poll ram was by the Poll sire, Willandra Desmond 26, and weighed 112kg BW, with a rib fat of 4mm and EMD of 32mm. It had a Nerstane Index of 132 and CFW of 117.
Included in the draft was a charity ram with all proceeds going to the Westpac Helicopter Service.
Nerstane 160481 was the charity ram bought by Don Belgre, Sydney, for $5000. With no sheep of his own, the ram will be added to the flock at Achill Pastoral, Armidale.
Tasmanian buyers were in hot demand of quality rams with Andrew Calvert, Roberts Limited, Western Junction, Tas, purchasing 17 rams on behalf of Shanagoldern Investments, Tas, to top $3250 and average $2309.
Mr Calvert also purchased eight rams on behalf of Bulngherrin Pastoral, Vic, to top $4500 and average $3844.
Other volume buyers were local buyers Rockyvale Farms, Armidale, secured 11 rams topping at $3250 and averaging $2455, and the Low family, “Cowal North”, Forbes, who bought 13 rams to top at $2000 and averag $1615.
The sale was conducted by Elders Walcha with Paul Dooley, Tamworth, as the auctioneer.