CHROME Sheep stud fifth annual on property sale welcomed an "exceptional sale" with a high clearance rate of 314 of the 348 rams offered, selling to a high of $2900, with a sturdy $1008 average.
The 136 Chromedales sold av $1263, 76 Perendales av $818, 39 Coopsworths av $847 while the 63 Poll Dorsets av $788.
Chrome co-principal Matthew Tonissen deemed the sale an "excellent result" and commended the return buyers commitment to the stud.
"Coming off the back of two tough seasons, it was an exceptional sale and highlights the maternal rams doing ability that are getting stronger and more even," he said.
Return buyer Tom Whinney, principal of Mount Hamilton, Nerrin Nerrin, said profitability with the maternal rams' fertility and good carcase was behind his purchase of 19 rams to a high of $1800, av $947.
Top value paid for a Chromedale was $2900, for a 14month-old, with a birth weight of 0.4kg and a weaning weight of 7.1 and PFAT -0.8 and maternal index of 123, by Wood Rise, Beach Port, South Australia.
Kerr and Co, Hamilton livestock agent Robert Claffey said the clearance and high averages was considerably better than anticipated and attributed it to Matthew and Tanya Tonissen;s service and credibility with the integrity of the sheep.
"The highlight of the sale was ten new buyers in a subdued market," Mr Claffey said.
"The clearance was the same as last year and averaged within $100, which is a staggering effort for this season."
Volume buyer Peter Rentsch of Penshurt purchased 21 rams, including Lot 19, a 15month-old ram who had a maternal index of 120, BWT 0.3kg, WWT 5.6 and PFAT of -0.7, for $1300.
Another large buyer was Ettrick Enterprise, Haywood who purchased 13 rams, with 7 AI Chromedale rams to $1000, av $971, and 6 natural Chromedale rams to $1000, av $783.
Landmark, Ballarat manager Kelvin Donnan said the Chromedale demand exceeded expectations while he believed there was good buying opportunities in the Poll Dorset section.
Poll Dorset sold twice peaked at $1300 for 15 month-old rams with Carcase + 176.43 and 184.77 with BWT of 0.38kg and 0.37kg, respectively.
The Coopworth offering sold to a high of $1500 for a 14month-old ram, with BWT 0.4kg, WWT 5.3kg, PFAT of -0.2 and maternal index of 118, while the Perendale offering sold to $1300 for pen of four 15month-old rams with maternal indexs of 116, 108, 114 and 11.
