Kurra-Wirra ram sale December 2016 | More rams sold

With the current seasonal conditions, you could see the dramatic lift in the clearance rate compared to last year. The clearance was up 39 per cent, however there was $15 drop in the average.  

Lot 16, 150559 (Poll) and Lot 38, 150763 (Horn) were purchased for the equal top price of $1200. 

Lot 16 was purchased by Andrew Howells, Elders, on behalf of Balintore, Dunkeld. This young ram was purchased as a stud sire and was by the $22,000 Pemcaw 122024, which the Close family purchased at Sheepvention in 2014.

This ram has fleece measurements of 18.13 micron, and ASBVs of yearling clean fleece weight 18.1 kilograms, yearling weight of 5.3 kilograms and Merino Production Plus index of 149. 

“This ram was purchased for his frame, figures, soft white wool and his true sire’s head,” Mr Howells said. 

Lot 38, was the other equal topped price ram and was purchased by Robert Ellis, WISS, on behalf of Ardenside Angus, Tooma NSW

“Ardenside will love the structure, micron and size of this ram; he has all the general basics you need for a functional ram,” Mr Ellis said. 

Ardenside were one of the volume buyers, purchasing a total of 12 rams to average $872.

But Clarke’s Lake Trading, Apsley, secured the most rams at 13. Other volume buyers were: J Kennedy, Culla, and Scott Rees, Balmoral, who both bought four rams through AWN Hamilton, and N Harris, Heathcote, who got two rams through WISS Melbourne.

Rob and Anthony Close, Kurra-Wirra, were very pleased with the sales result.

“The clearance rate is a great jump on last year, so that is pleasing,” Anthony Close said.

He said it was exciting to have the ASBVs data again for the second year, as their sheep and figures were starting to match up and this would improve over time. 

“Our rams are getting bigger with frame, growth and fertility. Wool production and quality is a Kurra-Wirra trait that we will continue,” Rob Close said.