For their sixth annual on-property sale, Trevor and Sarah Ryan, Richmond Merinos, Quandialla, proudly presented 120 Poll Merino and Merino rams to achieve a complete clearance and $2027 average price.
Top price at $10,500 was paid by repeat clients E.A and J.G Lawson, Cookardinia, for a Poll Merino carrying a heavy fleece with micron measurement of 15.9, S.D of 2.3 and comfort factor of 99.9 percent.
They were also impressed by his YFAT 0.1, YEMD 0.7 and YCFW 22.6.
This was the fourth time the Lawson family have purchased a leading sire for their self-replacing Merino flock from Richmond, and Neil Lawson said they liked the ram for his wool and high meat figures.
“His high clean fleece weight and high muscle and fat are the three traits we are looking for,” he said.
“We think the high fat helps the lambs survive and do better in tough times.
“It was interesting, Trevor was thinking about keeping the ram before the auction.”
Other significant sales included 24 rams at $1250 average price purchased by Geeron Partnership, Forbes, six at $1416 average to M.Q Hunter, Bribbaree and 13 for $1673 average to Brian and Amanda Protheroe, Grenfell.
Another Grenfell district woolgrower, L.G Schaefer and Co, bought nine rams for $1583 average price while M.A, and R.L Stewart, Bombala, chimed in with their selection of five rams at $3100 average and D and M Cram, Young, who took two rams home at $3750 and $3500.
Aloeburn Pastoral Co, Boree Creek, weighed in at the top end with a $4750 purchase and a second ram at $2250.
R.C and S.K Grinter, West Wyalong, selected four rams for a $2500 average and G.J and G.M Gugger, Stonehaven, Victoria, also paid $2500 average price but for three rams.
The Walker family, Grenfell, purchased two rams at $3500 and $3000.
Speaking after the sale, Trevor Ryan expressed delight that many of his clients were continuing to lift the standard of their flocks despite the prolonged dry season.
“We are really happy with the way our rams have handled this season,” he said.
“There is hardly any dust in the fleece, which is a reflection on the lock structure, density and nourishment of the fleece.”
Mr Ryan said he was very conscious of trying to breed sheep with high quality wool, good conformation and skin.
“We let the figures speak for themselves,” he said.
“In an era when figures mean a lot, we need to breed sheep which are right for the environment and producing wool with a high processing quality.”
The sale was settled by Elders, Young, with Aaron Seaman taking the bids.
