New clients lift rams to $3600

Of the 66 rams offered, 57 sold to average $1268 per head.

The top-priced ram, lot 37, was a June-July 2013-drop that measured 18.8-micron with standard deviation (SD) of 3.6, co-efficient variation (CV) 18 and comfort factor (CF) 99.5 per cent.

He was purchased through Elders Launceston and was one of three who would catch the boat to Tasmania.

The other Tassie-bound rams were June-July 2013-drops which both recorded 19.3M and av $1250, purchased by return client Neil Jones.

Tom Bibby, from Tatyoon, has been a Stavely Park client of more than 10 years and purchased four lots to av $1710, including two to $2400.

The highest-price paid by Mr Bibby was for two June-July 2013-drop, including lot 3 which recorded 18.6M, SD 3.1, CV 18.8 and CF 99.8pc and lot 9, which measured 19.9M, SD 2.9, CV 14.7 and CF 99.8pc.

"This year saw the best rams Stavely Park has offered in the history I've been coming here," Mr Bibby said.

"They're heavy cutting rams with thick, soft and crimpy wool which is what the producers want.

However, the sale was slightly down on last year's total clearance that av $1500, which Mr Bibby attributed to Western Victoria's dry conditions.

Landmark stud stock manager Peter Godbolt said while Stavely Park was producing, free-growing white-wool rams that suited today's modern market, seasonal conditions meant some regular clients were out of the market and saw value-for-money rams.

Maylands Grazing Company, Tatyoon, purchased seven rams av $857, while Jamie and Kylie Baulch, Cavendish, put together a nice line-up of three rams to $1600, av $1450.

The top-price paid by the Baulch family was for lot 26 – a 18.3M ram that measured SD 3.3, CV 17.9 and CF 99.1pc.

Stavely Park principal Felicity Brady said it was a pleasing sale that affirmed demand for stud sires.