*46 of 51 rams sold to a top of $9000, av $2505
Local, interstate, and even overseas buyers supported the sale of Merino and Poll Merino rams at Rock-Bank’s recent on-property sale.
The Victoria Valley stud offered 51 rams, and sold 46, recording a 90 per cent clearance rate.
The 46 rams sold recorded a $2505 average, and hit a top price of $9000.
This top price is up a significant $1600 on the top hit at last year’s sale, $7400, which was for a Merino, and not a Poll Merino.
The four Poll Merino rams in the catalogue were highly sought after, with the top being polled, and second top, which sold for $7000, also without horns.
The top ram, Lot 3, was purchased by a first-time buyer James Cleeland, Non Sibi Holdings, Strathalbyn, SA.
Mr Cleeland bought through Landmark’s Ted Wilson, as he was unable to attend, but had seen the ram on display at Hamilton’s Sheepvention, and was eager to take him home.
The 86-kilogram ram recorded fleece measurements of 17.3 micron, 2.1 standard deviation (SD), 13.5 co-efficient of variation (CV), and had an eye muscle depth (EMD) of 35 millimetres.
The second top-priced ram, Lot 51, was purchased for $7000 by the Sambell family, Benayeo, who are return clients of many years.
The family breed their own flock rams, and Leonie Sambell said Rock-Bank’s rams have enabled them to do so, while producing “lovely, quality wool”.
Ms Sambell said they aren’t particularly looking for polled rams, but coincidentally, when looking for rams at about 17 micron, they have on occasion been polled.
“We’re not fussed, but it seems polls are the way to go at the moment,” she said.
She said Lot 51 was a good sheep, with free-growing wool, that would fit well into their operation.
The ram’s fleece measured 18 micron, 2.9 SD, and 15.4 CV, and it recorded an EMD of 32mm.
They purchased a second ram on the day, and both would go out to a specially-selected group of ewes in December, for an April lambing.
Rock-Bank stud principal John Crawford said he was pleased with the presentation of the rams.
“They had high quality wool of great weights and with very good body weights and meat traits for their age,” Mr Crawford said.
He said they plan to offer more polled rams next year, as demand increases.
“We are starting to see more demand for fine wool polled rams, bred for high rainfall areas, with good frame,” he said.
“We’ll continue to offer more as we breed bigger numbers of quality polls suited to our climate.”
And this year, the season hasn’t been too unfavourable for the Victoria Valley farming family, particularly compared to other parts of the state and country.
“Our season has been a good, average year, and the stock are handling the conditions and looking well,” he said.
Volume buyers on the day included I and F Zippell, who bought six rams, David Byrne, who also bought six, and Bill Rogerson, who took home seven.
Mr Crawford said he was grateful for the support from the buying gallery, which included a return client from New Zealand, and other buyers from far and wide.
He said there were also new buyers that attended, which was rewarding.