ALL 450 rams catalogued sold at auction to establish a record for Kerin Poll Merinos at the Kerin family's 10th on-property sale at Karuga Park, Yeoval, for Nigel and Kate Kerin and family on Monday.
The line-up averaged $2504 with top-money paid by Tasmanian commercial breeder George Gatenby, Bicton Pty Ltd, Campbell Town, for a 117 kilogram April-drop son of Kerin Poll 160502 ( a son of Moorundie Park 130306) growing 19.5 micron wool with 100 per cent comfort factor.
The ram was purchased on behalf of Mr Gatenby by Australian Wool Network, Launceston's Brett Cox, who said it was Bicton's first purchase from Kerin Poll.
"Mr Gatenby had selected a short list of rams with good figures for his 2500 ewe flock of 18 to 18.5 micron average and left it to me to select the best from that list," Mr Cox said.
"It was the ram's scale, width and depth, particularly his backend and depth in the twist that added to his selection.
"Also his long white free growing wool."
Among the multi-lot buyers was Dave Fowles of Fowles Farm Pty Ltd, Killeen, Creightons Creek near Euroa, Victoria, returned to buy 10 rams for a $3050 average and two at $5000.
"I bought seve rams last year and am very happy with the results in pretty tough conditions," Mr Fowles said.
"We 500 metres above sea level in a sort of wet Victorian area the sheep did very well, so I'm back again this year and with associated we bought 17 rams all together."
Mr Fowles is also a wine producers of Fowles Wine, Avenel, Vic.
Tim Oldfield, Belalie, Bourke, secured 47 rams averaging $1266 and topping at $1500.
"We have 5000 ewes lambing at the moment and they grow an average 19 micron fleece," Mr Oldfield said.
"We started on ur first Kerin Poll rams in 2011 and keep returning as they have given the flock early growth from lambing while maintaining wool cut, which has increased too.'
"The fertility factor is just unreal. Our best is 142 per cent, but with scanning we're up to 50pc twins at this stage and will ift that over the next few years."
The sale was conducted by Landmark, Dubbo, and Bowyer and Livermore, Bathurst, with Paul Dooley guest auctioneers in company with Nick Fogarty of Bowyer and Livermore.
Stud co-principal, Nigel Kerin, thanked the many number of agents from within the industry which supported the sale by attending and bringing buyers or buying on their behalf.
