RETURNING clients and new buyers paid up to $6500 twice and a $2296 average for 125 of the 130 head offered at the 20th anniversary GullenGamble Poll Merino ram sale, Yeoval, on Tuesday.
Returning buyer of some 18 years standing, Michael Heywood, Old Mungery, Peak Hill, paid $6500 equal top money for an 119 kilogram son of GullenGamble 120018 growing 18.1 micron wool and a Dual Purpose Index (DP+) of 138.
“This ram has a good fleece weight score and is growing big bold crimping lengthy staple wool all on a 119kg body,” Mr Heywood said.
“He’s the full package.”
Mr Heywood said he normally joins 1200 ewes of 19 micron average cutting 6.5kg of wool, but the number will be a few less this joining.
He also purchased a 16.5 micron son of GG150925 for $3000 for his flock of 18 micron average.
First-time buyers Dave and Erica Shorter, Boola, Burren Junction, paid the other $6500 equal top money for a high wool cutting ram weighing 100kg and with a DP+ of 174.
The Shorters are running two flocks of Hazeldean and Ballatherie blood and are looking to keep the high wool-cutting qualities, but increase their sheep’s body weight.
Grant and Cathy MacAlpine, with son, William, Salisbury, The Marra, who have been buying here for some five years returned and bought 12 rams for a $2063 average and top at $3000 twice.
The MacAlpines normally join 5000 ewes of 19 to 20 micron in their self-replacing flock cutting between 5.5 to 6kg fleeces and this recording 115 per cent lambing figures.
The sale was conducted by Elders, Dubbo, with guest auctioneer Paul Dooley, Tamworth.