A FIRST-time buyer of Bocoble genetics was the purchaser of the $4250 high-selling ram of the 33rd annual Bocoble on-property Merino ram sale held at Moolarben, Cooks Gap via Mudgee today.
Currently in the process of establishing his own Merino stud, local producer Shane Moss of Wollar selected the $4250 top-ram Bocoble 19 to join to his 55 stud Merino ewes.
The 17.1-micron ram weighed 99 kilograms and measured 120 per cent for yearling greasy fleece weight percentage (YGFWP), 2.4 for standard deviation (SD), 14.1pc for coefficient of variation (CV), 99.6pc comfort factor (CF) and 15.8 for spinning fineness (SF).
RELATED READING: Bocoble Merinos 2020 sale results
Targeting a superfine micron wool and good fleece weight and quality, Mr Moss said his standout purchase was the pick of the rams.
"Structurally he is put together well, and he has great wool quality and good yield," he said.
"He is out of a good ewe which was a former show ewe... I really liked his wool figures, and he is a good type - I reckon he was the pick of the rams here."
Bec Cox of Bocoble stud commented that the dam of the high seller had another son in the sale showing she consistently produces good progeny.
Overall, the Cox family sold 48 rams at auction of the 61 on offer resulting in a 79pc clearance and a new stud best average of $1719, up from $1692 last year. A further two lots were sold after the sale bringing the clearance to 82pc.
ALSO IN NEWS: Two more female directors for AWGA board
In the breakdown during the sale 23 of 32 Merino rams sold to the $4250 sale top and averaged $1609, while 25 of 29 Poll Merino rams sold to a top of $2750 and averaged $1820.
Ms Cox said they were very happy with the results, with both new and repeat clients operating on the draft.
"The rams have done well, and they are an even line up... It was a great result," she said.
Bocoble 92 was the $2750 top-priced poll ram sold to D Adams of Armidale through AWN as part of a draft of three which averaged $1688.
Weighing 93kg he was a 17.7-micron ram with a YGWFP of 105pc, a 2.8 SD, 15.7pc CV, 99.6pc CF and 16.6 SF.
The largest volume buyers were Cooyal Pastoral Co, Cooyal Station, Mudgee, which selected nine rams to a top of $2500, twice, and average of $1972, and Athlone Pty Ltd, Crudine, which bought seven to a top of $2000 and a $1250 average.
South Australian repeat buyer Courtney Gordon of Mount Gambier put together a draft of six rams for a $1792 average, while local buyer KA and JM Atkinson, Gulgong, and Glendos Pastoral Co, Lue, also each purchased six and averaged $1708 and $1458, respectively.
Next year the Bocoble Merino ram sale will be held at their new property at Dubbo where the rams sold this year had been born and running at prior to coming to Mudgee two months ago.
The sale was conducted by AWN Livestock with auctioneer John Croake.
Have you signed up to The Land's free daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to NSW agriculture.
