Thalabah Merino rams av $3116 for 80/80

A top price of $8000 was realised while the sale average of $3116 was up from $2408 last year.

Over 60 years of selective breeding has led to the evolution of a definite type at Thalabah, which has long been appreciated by woolgrowers across the country.

In the catalogue, the breeders noted they pride themselves on producing a large framed, well covered sheep with bulky, bright, soft-handling medium to fine medium wools.

"We believe we are progressing here at Thalabah, but we haven't lost sight of the true Thalabah type and breeding an article that fits into the current sheep and wool industries," Kristen Frost noted.

Before he called for bids, auctioneer Rick Power assured those present and the wider wool industry, that under the management of Kristen and Anthony Frost, the stud's future is in very determined hands.

The top priced ram was bought by long time supporters of Thalabah, Chris and Steph Croker, Taralga, who have great success in the annual ANZ-sponsored Taralga Merino ewe competition.

Mr Croker said his new sire prospect was outstanding for length of staple in a very soft medium wool fleece on a correct body.

"He has great width and depth of body, with a quality fleece," he said.

"He also has a very strong muzzel and great bone."

The son of Thalabah 196, his fleece measured 21.1 micron, 3.4 standard deviation (SD), 99pc comfort factor (CF), while his scan results indicated 39.5cm eye muscle depth (EMD) and 5.5 Fat.

Mr Croker pointed out the progeny of rams bought at last year's sale have had nearly 1500mm rain on them and with no fleece trouble at all.

"These sheep are bred for these high rainfall conditions," he said.

Volume buyers included Sandy and Oscar Bell, Mummel, who bought 18 rams, HH and DE Watts, Charlton, Victoria, who selected a draft of eight rams and Karoopa Partnership, Cowra, who purchased six rams.

The sale was settled by Nutrien, Crookwell, in association with Elders, Crookwell, with Rick Power, Nutrien stud stock, taking the bids.

The sale was interfaced with Elite Livestock Auctions, through which platform three rams were bought to top of $5000, six buyers bid on 20pc of the sale and 36 prospective buyers viewed.

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