THE performance of Cressbrook Merino rams saw repeat buyers, some of more than 60 years, secure genetics from their annual ram sale in Armidale on Friday.
While seasonal conditions hampered the overall sale results, in total 62 of 90 rams were sold for a 68 per cent clearance and a $1206 average.
The top price ram of $3200 was secured by Roy Robertson, Robertson Grazing, Wollomombi, who first began buying rams privately from the stud alongside his father as a small child.
The Robertson family’s relationship with the Fulloons began in their inaugural year of 1954.
“I remember the cakes more than anything,” he joked.
“We would buy the rams that the Fulloons had used. We had one of the high picks of that (offering).”
Mr Robertson runs about 4000 sheep, joining 1300 ewes to Merino sires and 500 ewes to Border Leicester rams.
Clean fleece weight and worm egg count were two of the leading traits he sourced in new sires.
His top price purchase, an August-shorn son of 140150, had one of hte biggest clean fleece weights in the catalogue at 137 per cent coupled with a low yearling worm egg count of -21.
“We are in a damper sort of climate so we have got to keep the quality and style in the wool,” he said.
“We have been buying from Cressbrook for that long and are very pleased with the direction of the sheep.”
All except one of the 19 registered buyers were returning clients with Forster and Sons, Abington, Uralla, securing the largest line of 10 rams for an average of $940 through Landmark’s John Teitzel.
He also helped Bruce Leah, Clearview, Gerogery, secure eight rams averaging $850 while Swales Partnership, Torryburn, also took eight sires home averaging $1125.
New ram buyer the Anderson family, Matheson, secured four rams for a $1250 average along with maiden ewes. In total 1005 females were sold for an average of $80.75.
Stud principal Lach Fulloon said unfavourable widespread seasonal conditions had hampered results despite the quality of their offering.
Recent results from the Glen Innes wether trial placed the Cressbrook team fourth overall out of 16 bloodlines.
“We got plenty of positive feedback with the drafted rams we put on offer and it was just unfortunate that one of the best wool years we have had in decades has coincided with the most drastic drought for a lot of people,” he said.
“It’s terrific to have long term client loyalty. Roy Robertson is a very astute woolgrower. He sees the value in top genetics and is prepared to chase the top rams.”
The sale was conducted by Landmark with John Settree.