TWO rams selling at $10,000 each to the one buyer set the pace from the first lot at the 13th annual Bella Lana Poll Merino stud sale of the Brien family at Dripstone near Wellington on September 22.
Each year the average price rises and buyers keep returning to buy, many saying they like the depth of the Bella Lana sheep and their heavier-cutting wool traits.
The sale cleared all 141 rams at auction to an average of $3132, an increase on last year of $640.
Buyer registrations tallied 38 and 19 rams went to online buyers, predominantly from Victoria.
Returning to their fourth sale, the Cosgrove family, West Charlton, Rockley, paid $10,000 each for two rams, the top money of the sale.
Robyn Cosgrove said the family runs about 7000 breeding ewes, Merino and crossbreds, plus 700 cattle in a crossbreeding enterprise on several properties.
The Merinos are cutting about six kilograms, averaging 18.5-micron, and they will join the two new sale-toppers to Bella Lana-blood ewes.
"We do breed our own rams and these two will head that program in our self-replacing management programs where we are replacing upwards of 20 rams a year," Ms Cosgrove said.
Their first $10,000 purchase was a younger ram with a good weight for age at 93kg. It measured 16.3-micron and was BL180188 son bred from a ewe lamb.
Their second at $10,000 was for a son of Centre Plus 707350, measuring 17.5 micron and weighing 97kg.
Co- principal, Scott Brien, said there were other rams in the catalogue that were also out of ewe lambs.
"It just goes to show the early growth and maturity of our sheep is getting better ... and our figures are improving every year," he said.
Return buyers Warren Leeson and family, Anglewood, Dunedoo, bought three rams, paying up to $6750 and averaging $5583.
Mr Leeson said these sheep did well at Anglewood and have increased his wool cut and micron.
The Leeson's top ram was a Centre Plus 607300 son, weighing 97kg with 16.3 micron wool.
Tom Roberts, Bestwick Pastoral, Euarra, O'Connell, returned to buy eight rams, paying to $5500 and an average of $3125.
Phil and Ed Hunter, Minnamurra, Yeoval, bought 12 rams for a $2563 average.
"I think these sheep have got depth and present very well, obviously good doers in this country," Phil Hunter said.
These rams will be used in their flock of 3100 old ewes and lamb ewes from November 15.
The Minnamurra flock averages 19 micron and is shorn every six months.
First-time buyers were the Corio Ag enterprise at Tarlo Station, Near Taralga, paid an average of $4227 for 11 rams.
Manager, Sam Hand, said the company was set-up for a dual-purpose enterprise, wanting to retain wool cut while maintaining meat traits.
They are running 3000 ewes of mainly Leahcim blood and believe the Bella Lana rams will help improve the wool cut.
Buying each year and back this year were the Campbell brothers, Dugald and Lachlan, of Bonada, at Mumbil and Dripstone.
This year they were again the buyer of most rams securing 22 for a $2648 average and paying up to $4750 for their flock of 7000 Merino ewes.
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