Wilson's Creek White Suffolks annual ram sale achieves full clearance at an average of $1330

Buyers from across the district and beyond flocked to the Uralla on-property live auction in attempts to take home one of the 50 rams up for sale.

All 50 of the rams were sold at an average of $1330, with the top ram going for $1800.

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Of the 24 registered bidders, fellow Uralla locals Joe and Stephanie Van Eyk took home the top ram (tag 190066), which boasted an eye muscle depth of 2.1 and finished in the top 20pc of the lamb quality index.

"What we really liked about this ram was his size, he's a beautiful size and very structurally-correct ram," Mr Van Eyk said.

"We are going to join him with some two-year-old-stud ewes, so we wanted a nice big ram with a bit of presence and this ram has got that for sure.

"This isn't the first time we have bought here and we have a had a really good 12 months, off the back of a really terrible 12 months, so if we don't get too much heat in February we should be able to carry most of this greenery into the winter."

The Van Eyk's took home two rams at an average of $1500, while other prevalent buyers included Elders, on behalf of Kapunda Pastoral (seven rams at an average of $1057), the Pearson family of Glen Brook, Arding (six rams at an average of $1400) and the Fletcher family of Kentucky Station, Kentucky (six rams at an average of $1553).

Clive Pearson of Glen Brook said he was a repeat buyer at Wilson's Creek because the rams were bred for the local conditions.

"I suppose what I really like most about the rams here is their constitution, their muscling, the length of body and in general they tick a lot of boxes," Mr Pearson said.

"We're based 40km north west of Armidale, which is similar country to here and it's the best season in 30 years.

"The conditions will really suit these rams who will go into first-cross ewes in about six weeks then we don't look to finish the lamb, instead sell them as a store lamb."

Wilson's Creek principal Tony Gall said he was "over the moon to finish with a total clearance".

"Unfortunately a few of the buyers couldn't quite fill their orders, so we will see what we can do for them as well," Mr Gall said.

"It is a great result but it is pretty much what I expected how strong the lamb market is at the moment and we must thank MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia) for their marketing over a number of years as I'm sure it has contributed towards that.

"The new genetics we keep breeding in are certainly showing and the fact this line was able to overcome the appalling drought conditions and perform the way they have is really pleasing."

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