Balanced breeding values, a quality offering combined with a great seasonal outlook drew a crowd to the Jerilderie property for the Gillett family's Wunnamurra Poll Dorset 18th on-property sale last Thursday.
Talk around the grounds before the sale was that this year's draft was the most even line of rams from start to finish with the whole drop very consistent, well presented and showing a lot of length and stretch about them.
The rams were fit and ready for work and this was reflected in 100 per cent clearance of all 174 rams sold to average of $1545.
The sale was considerably higher than last year with an increase of ram offerings up from 165 last year and the average up by $584.
The top price of $3100 was achieved and purchased by Lew Brindleys, Corowa.
The 17-month-old Wunnamurra 7 sired by Derrynock 170132 sat in the top 10 percent for Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) index of 152 and the top 20 per cent for weaning weight of 10.5 kilograms and post weaning weight of 16.8 kilograms and post weaning eye muscle of 2.8 millimetres
Becoming his stablemate, Mr Brindley also purchased a second ram the 16-month-old Wunnamurra 345 who was a son of homebred Wunnamurra 102 for $1900.
Mr Brindley said in his top pick he was looking for all over body conformation and figures that ticked all the boxes.
"My second purchase was a little different to my first as I was looking for a more narrow front ram to join over my maiden ewes for easy lambing but still chasing strength, length and good height," he said.
RK Mailer, Whiporie, Conargo was the volume buyer on the day securing a draft of 17 paying a top of $1800 for an average of $1613 while local buyer Dhuramein Nominees, Mayrung purchased 11 rams averaging $1155.
Local support was strong with John Lamb Pastoral Company Pty Ltd, Conargo securing 10 rams to average $880.
Stud principal Andrew Gillett was blown away with the results.
"It was really pleasing to have a fantastic result after the previous couple of drought years," he said.
"We knew it would be up on last year and but didn't expect the average would be quite that high.
"It was a very strong sale with consistent bidding the whole way through. It was also the largest crowd we have had at the sale and it was very humbling to have that number of people come to support us and have a look at the rams on offer.
"We had a a good representation of existing clients, however it was great to meet a number of new clients."
The sale was conducted by Elders Livestock with Nick Gray, Elders Jerilderie and Hamish McGeoch, Nutrien Livestock Wagga tallying the bids.