Wallaloo's strong interstate support

In the breakdown, 132 of 170 rams sold including all 40 autumn-drop rams offered were sold to av $3181, 66 of 71 spring-drop rams offered av $1492 while 26 of 60 paddock run rams av $1500.

The sale attracted 13 stud breeders who purchased 21 rams to av $5,100 - the highest number of stud rams sold at a Wallaloo Park sale.

The top price ram was the only one purchased by Langdene Merino Stud, Dunedoo, NSW - lot 1, a poll son of WP 184.

The April/May drop ram tipped the scales at 101 kilograms and had fleece measurements of 18.9-micron, a standard variation (SD) of 3.2-micron and 16.8 per cent co-efficient of variation (CV).

There were 47 registered buyers including three new stud buyers and five new flock clients.

A Western Australian contingent was in force, with 14 rams purchased for the epic journey back to the west.

One of which were volume buyers, Mark and Kay Barr, Newdegate, WA, whose consignment of 10 rams twice topped at $4000, for a WP33 and Casper son, and av $2220.

The Barr's have been Wallaloo Park clients for more than 15 years, which Mr Barr said had resulted in their micron dropping from 24m to 19m and wool cut significantly increasing.

"Our wool is miles better now since using Wallaloo Park genetics," he said.

NSW had an influential buying group with 30 rams bound for the north, while South Australian clients secured 11.

NI & NJ Mudford, Wilgadeen, Gilgandra, NSW, purchased five rams to $3500, av $1800.

The second highest price of $8,500 was paid by Scott Brien, Bella Lana Merino Stud, Wellington for lot 3.

The ram was a WP196 son which weighed 109kg and had fleece measurements of 21-micron, SD 2.9m and 13.9pc CV.

He was purchased alongside a 106kg Casper son for $5000, who measured 19.5m, SD 3m and 15.3pc CV and SYN1 son for $4500, who measured 19.7m, SD 3.2m and 16.1pc CV.

Mr Brien said lot 3 would be used as an impact sire in the stud and selected his rams on their growth and wool cut. A client for nearly 20 years, Mr Brien's flock av 18.7m and cuts an av 7kg.

Local supported and client of six years John Heard, Heard family Trust, Tooan, purchased six rams to av $1379, through agent Brent Flood, Rodwells, Horsham.

Mr Heard was selecting well structured, heavy cutting rams.

"I'm trying to get an early maturing lamb to target the meat market while cutting good wool weights in the ewes," he said.

Bert and Dion Woolford, Kimba, SA secured three polled lots for an av $4750, a paid to $6000 for a paddock run WP111 son.

"We chase the sweetest wools we can find and that is why we've been here coming since 1995," Dion said.Wallaloo Park co-principal John Carter said while the sale attracted more buyers than last year, local clients required less flock rams due to a sell-off of ewes following a very dry year in the Wimmera.

Landmark auctioneer Andrew Sloan conducted the sale with Elders stud stock Ross Milne.