QUEENLEE Merino rams sold to a top of $1800 four times and average of $1082 at the annual on-property sale at Uralla on Tuesday.
Fifty one of the 68 rams offered by the Carlon family sold for a clearance of 75 per cent.
Three of the four top priced rams sold to first timer buyer Jason Hoy, Elbrook Grazing Co, “Sunnybrook”, Walcha.
Mr Hoy was accompanied to the sale by his mother Chris and three year old daughter Ellody and said they were chasing new genetics and were impressed with the wool crimp and structure of the three rams.
The first to be secured was a Ringmaster son which had a fibre diameter of 15.2-micron, standard deviation (SD) of 2.94-micron, yield of 78.7pc and comfort factor (CF) of 99.9pc.
A Blue 14 son followed, he had a fibre diameter of 17-micron, 2.9 SD, yield of 78.4pc and 100pc CF.
And lastly a Mr Incred son which had a fibre diameter of 15.2-micron, 2.4 SD, yield of 82.6pc and 99.95pc CF.
The three rams will be used in Mr Hoy’s flock of 1200 commercial Merino ewes.
“We hope the Queenlee rams will keep the traditional fine wool in our flock and increase the size of our sheep” said Mr Hoy.
The final $1800 top was an Ultra son purchased by repeat buyers Max and Ralph Price, "Kooringle",Pyramul.
The ram had a fibre diameter of 14.6-micron, 3.15 SD, yield of 84pc and 99.95pc CF.
Rams are selected on frame size, and the stud's proven ability to produce big wool cutters.
The father and son duo join about 700 ewes each year and have seen a marked improvement in the density of their flock's wool since using Queenlee rams.
Volume buyer on the day was Paul Mabbott, Rockvale Kentucky Pastoral Co, Kentucky who loaded seven rams to top at $1400 and average $971.
"We have been using Queenlee rams for over 20 years, the frame size is another good quality they breed" said Mr Mabbott who joins around 4000 merino ewes each year
Stud principal Philip Carlon was pleased with the result considering the dry conditions.
According to Landmark’s Stud Stock manager, John Settree, buyers were selecting for better wool yield, better type and body size on the back of a deteriorating season.
Schute Bell Badgery Lumby and Landmark Armidale conducted the sale, with John Settree taking the bids.
