A massive crowd featuring 85 registered bidders supported the Armidale Merino Ram Sale on Wednesday where rams peaked at $15,500.
Described as a very high quality offering, many agents were hoping for a solid clearance around 70 to 80 per cent but their expectations were exceeded when the multi-vendor sale saw 64 rams of 70 sold to average $3489.
That was compared with an $11,000 top, $2723 average and 66 per cent clearance in 2020.
Top money came early when Merryville M25494 reached $15,500 paid by Graeme Newnham, Cara Merino stud, Delungra.
The 18.3 micron ram had a standard deviation of 2.5, coefficient variation of 13.7 and comfort factor of 99.7 per cent.
He was a son of Giant Test out of a special Merryville stud ewe.
Mr Newnham was looking for a new sire and his family had been buying from Merryville for 60 odd years.
The ram will be shorn and joined in March.
"We buy a good ram because we keep the best sons from him each year to go back into the flock," he said.
It was the highlight of a very solid sale for the Merriman family of Boorowa who sold seven of nine rams under the hammer to average $6857.
One of their 18.8 micron rams was knocked down for $10,000 to WC and MH Doak, Bundarra, while a 17.9 micron ram hit $8500 paid by HM Barty and Sons through Nutrien Dubbo.
The highly anticipated supreme champion ram from the Rayner family, Grathlyn, Mudgee, made $12,000 and was knocked down to the McDonald family of Goulburn chasing his structure and superior wool.
An ultrafine ram from champion bloodlines on either side, he led the team of seven rams that saw five sell under the hammer to average $5500.
Rams were bound as far as Tasmania with a number of local studs also investing in the genetics on offer.
The reserve ultra superfine ram from the Lette family of Conrayn stud at Berridale made $8000 and was knocked down locally to the Glenburnie and Bulla Gully Merino studs. Meanwhile their champion superfine ram made $3000 to G and R Rayner, Pomanara, Sallys Flat.
The reserve grand champion and champion fine medium ram from the Power family of Airlie, Walcha, made $5500 to repeat clients Tallara Partenrship at Walcha.
Their draft of four rams averaged $3500.
The sale featured rams from Demondrille, Conrayn, Merryville, Alfoxton, Westvale, Nerstane, Airlie, Egelabra, Grathlyn, Waverley Downs, Hillcreston Park, Glenbrook, Queenlee, Glanna, Kurrajong Park. Shalimar Park, Bocoble, Maister's Swamp, Arakoon, Pomanara, Whyworry Park, Stanley Vale, Hillcreston, Glenburnie and Laraben.
AWN rams were sold by Andy Carter, Lincoln McKinlay handled the Elders run and Rick Power was in charge for Nutrien.
