Gutsy finewool rams with plenty of bone and solid conformation were on offer when Michael and Katrina Hedger, Snowy Plain Merinos and Snow Vale Poll Merinos, Berridale penned 40 rams for buyers consideration and they responded accordingly.
There was strong local and interstate interest which saw a top price of $6000 paid for a Snowy Plain Merino ram and $5000 paid for a Snow Vale Poll Merino ram.
The top priced Snowy Plain Merino ram was purchased by Gordon and Jenny Crowe, Round Plain Merino stud, Rocky Plain.
They were very taken with the son of East Strathglen 15100 for his growth and depth and length of body.
"His wool was fairly even and thick across the back end," Mr Crowe said.
"It has a nice style with good length and he was just what we required."
The ram's fleece measured 17.9 micron, 3.1 standard deviation (SD), and 99.5 percent comfort factor (CF).
Another significant Snowy Plain purchase was made when Dooerdowns, Coleraine, Victoria paid $5250 for thier choice with fleece measurements of 19.7 micron, 3.2 SD and 99.1 CF.
Mark and Jodie Pendergast, Cottage Park, Cooma paid $2000 for thier selection of the draft, a son of Yarrawonga 1 purchased in 2013 for sale top of $22,000.
With fleece measurements of 18.6 micron, 2.6 SD and 99.7 percent CF, the ram impressed Mr Pendergast for the shear capacity of his robust fleece on a fairly solid frame.
The top priced Snow Vale Poll Merino ram was $5000 paid by Ron Wallace, Dalgety who was assisted in his deliberations by his neice Sammy-Jo Robinson.
They were attracted to the ram for his commanding outlook with a solid constitution.
"He has a good frame and growing a fleece with a nice tip," Ms Robinson said.
"The wool has good soft handle, with density and length of staple."
Ms Robinson said that type of wool suits the southern Monaro, where they breed finewool Merinos with overall flock average of 18.5 micron.
The ram had the impressive fleece measurements of 19.4 micron, 3.1 SD and 99.4 CF.
Volume purchasers during the sale included Dooerdowns, Coleraine, Vic who bought four rams including the $5250 purchase for $2625 average price: Coolamatong Partnership, Berridale who paid $1570 average price for their draft of five rams and Rob Campbell, manager Amandri Corp, Rocky Plain who added eight sires to his genetic base for $1344 average price.
Other sales included three bought by B.K, F.M and P.B Jones, Rand for $1750 average and Tim Jackson, Rocky Plain who selected two rams for $1625 average.
Michael Hedger was very pleased with the results and said he thought they reflected the confidence wool growers have in the future of the industry despite the continuing tough season.
"We continue to strengthen our genetic base here, so it was a delight to see our clients appreciate our efforts," he said.
"The rams presented very well and it shows how the Merino can perform through dry times."
The annual auction was settled by Landmark, Cooma with auctioneer Rick Power keeping track of the bids.
