A STRONG showing of 23 registered bidders, including five new clients, helped push average prices to $1194 at the annual Billa Burra Burra Merino sale held at Yass on Saturday.
Selling 71 of the 80 rams on offer, the sale topped at $4000.
It was local client Lester Jones who secured the top price ram again after claiming the honours at last year’s auction.
The September born son of ‘Bits’ had a 16.1 micron fleece, standard deviation (SD) of 2.5, coefficient of variation (CV) of 15.5 per cent and 100 per cent comfort factor (CF).
He was one of two purchases for Mr Jones, with another ram at $1200.
It was closely followed by a $3500 winning bid from LE and SH Bush, Berremangra, for a September born ‘Forbes’ son. The ram was 16.9 micron, SD of 2.9, CV of 17.2pc and CF of 99.8pc.
Bulk buyer status was shared by Adare Pastoral Company, Bowning, with nine rams averaging $844 and the Hall family, Newline Farm, Gunning, also with nine averaging $911 and topping at $1700.
Closely behind was Bill West, Yarrabundra, Cowra, with seven rams averaging $885 and topping at $1200.
All but two registered buyers secured rams. Stud principal Keith McGrath said attendees commented on the high wool standard throughout the draft.
“Conditions are dry for a lot of our clients but everyone was happy and all the new people came and bought, which was very encouraging,” he said.
The sale was handled by Butt Livestock.