THIRTY years of Parkdale SRS Poll Merino's breeding saw a stud high price at the 17th annual ram sale for the Mudford family at Dubbo.
The best crowd seen for a few years created fast paced bidding in the helmsman auction, they had one thing in common, looking for mules-free genetics that are highly blowfly resistant and having a bright white wool.
By the end of the proceedings, 115 rams sold to a top of $8200 and an overall average of $1795.
In the breakdown, 80 stud rams were offered in the auction for a 60 head clearance to an average of $2460, a $1040 growth on last year, with others sold after the sale. Fifty grade rams were sold after the auction to $800 and averaged $800.
The top priced ram was sold to Doug Munro from Merriwa.
"I thought he had great wool, great body and good ASBV's." Mr Munro said.
He took home a draft of 10 for an average of $ 1870.
Return buyer, Kevin McGrath, Cuttaburra Pastoral company took home 20 with a mix of stud and grade rams to average $880 with a top price of $1200.
Co-principal Don Mudford was very pleased with the sale.
"The top priced ram was the highest priced ram that we have sold," he said.
"The top priced ram has a 19.3 staple length, an above average for fat and eye muscle, a high post weaning weight and we want them that way to grow early but even out so they don't get too big.
"His sire 109, is a really long staple ram who throws that to his progeny. We are after the double poll gene, length of staple and soft, bright white wool, he has it all in the one package.
"A highlight to me was the interest seen in the middle run of the rams, they sold very well.
"There was rain falling on the roof so it went really well."
The sale was conducted by Hartin Schute Bell, Narromine with Jason Hartin controlling the bids.
See next weeks The Land for the full story.
