Maisters Swamp Merinos top at $3300

Vendors David and Tina Watson offered 25 rams selling 15 for a $940 average.

Lot 1 created an interstate bidding duel between a West Australian client on the phone and eventual purchasers J and L Ferguson of Tenterfield.

The polled sire weighed 92.5 kilograms had a micron of 15.7 and a wool cut of 105 percent.

He displayed loose skin and a long superfine staple.

Buyer James Ferguson said the ram was selected a year ago after looking at them in the paddock.

"We knew for a long time he was the ram for us," he said

"I'm a long time purchaser of Maisters Swamp. He will be joined to maiden ewes and was selected for his wool type and the bloodline has worked very well for us before."

Steve Johnston, Oakhurst, Deepwater was the volume buyer of the day securing 7 rams for an average of $878.

He bought both horned and poll rams.

For 12 years Mr Johnston has being sourcing his rams from the Watson family.

"I was looking for rams that will cut a lot of wool and the big thing i am trying to improve is the fertility of my flock," he said

" They were bought from using visual apprasial of loose skin, density and softness of the wool and the rams structure."

Jeff Strudwick, Ridgeview, Uralla purchased 2 rams for an average of $1125.

" These rams will help with our rebuild after the drought," he said

"I like the style of their wool, the amount of cut it provides and these rams secured today will improve my wool quality."

Anthony Hamilton of Yezarbon secured 2 polled rams for and average of $1050 to use over his Well Gully ewes.

" I was impressed when viewing the rams at their open day and they will improve my wool style and cut," he said

Vendor Sophie Watson was really impressed with the top price and was thankful for the support of long time clients who know the job the rams do.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Armidale with Brad Wilson controlling the Helmsman auction system.