It only took 17 registered bidders to all but clear the entire catalogue of Cressbrook Merino rams during Lach and Kiri Fulloon's annual on-property sale outside of Armidale on Friday.
The team of 77 sale rams boasted FP+ index figures in the top six per cent of the industry and made them very attractive to the woolgrowers in attendance who helped clear 70 rams to average $1953.
All but two of the registered bidders were successful with four buyers accounting for almost 40 rams between them.
Open up the ram sale catalogue and the page was filled with colour for the rams that represented some of the industry's top trait leaders.
The 2021 sale team were superior for yearling clean fleece weight, yearling fibre diameter and yearling staple strength. Their worm resistance was highly sought after at an average of -28 with the team averaging in the top six per cent for the Fibre Production + index.
Top money of $5000 was paid for the second ram of the day who boasted a yearling fibre diameter and FP+ index in the top five per cent of the breed.
It was Robertson Grazing of Wollomombi who lined up for top price photo honours for the third straight year having seen the value in the Cressbrook genetics.
Buyer Roy Robertson said their clean fleece weight threshold was quite high when making their selections and limited what they could buy.
"We are rebuilding drastically," Mr Robertson said.
"These will be put to 90 ewes so run at one per cent, or just under. That's why we can pay that sort of money to buy the rams because we are getting plenty of lambs from them."
Long term Parkes-based clients Ken and Sue Keith returned to the sale fresh off the back of their success in the 2020 Parkes Wether Trial where they achieved the highest fleece value and highest body weight.
Mr Keith returned home with a $3000 and $1500 ram with micron and fleece weight among his focuses.
He had just sold wool on the Tuesday before the sale and received prices above evaluation.
Golland Partnership, Quirindi, secured 12 rams averaging $2541, just ahead of Forster and Sons, Abington, Uralla, with 11 rams averaging $1681.
Bruce Leah, Clearview, Gerogery, made a late charge and secured a number of rams in the back half of the catalogue with his draft of 10 averaging $1325.
Anthony Waugh and Agnus Knapik of Avenue Flat, Bundarra, were assisted by Elders agent Jon Goudge in securing nine rams averaging $1305.
The sale was up from the $1532 average and 72 per cent clearance last year which left stud principal Lach Fulloon thrilled.
"They (the rams) were totally paddock reared," he said.
"They had 10 inches of rain on them over the December period and they held up very well to the climatic conditions we had over the year.
"We are having a terrific lambing this last year so we will have the capacity to offer 100 to 110 next year, either that or even harder selection on 80 to 90 lots next year.
"The wool market is shaping up and if we can get through this next year, there are good times ahead."
The sale was conducted by Nutrien with John Settree whipping through the catalogue in a timely and humorous manner.
Read the full report in The Land next week.
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
