*47 of 60 rams sold to $2700, av $1362
GROWING confidence in the Australian Sheep Breeding Values system contributed to a strong result on Kurra-Wirra’s performance recorded rams at the Culla stud’s recent on-property sale.
A total of 60 Merino and Poll Merino rams were offered for sale, and 47 sold to a top price of $2700, and an average price of $1362.
The top price was up $500 on last year, and average price similar, on an increased offering of rams.
The top-priced ram, Lot 13, was purchased by Laurie Close, 'Clarkes Lake Trading', Apsley, a return client of many years, who snapped up a big total of 19 rams at auction.
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Kurra-Wirra farm manager Anthony Close said while there might have been more visually appealing rams in the catalogue, the top-priced ram had impressive figures and breeding background.
The ram was a twin-born, Anderson 140474 son.
The 15.1 micron ram’s ASBVs were weight 8.3 per cent, fleece weight 11.1pc, fibre diameter -1.5pc, and eye muscle depth 1.7pc.
“He’s more of a modern sheep that we’re trying to breed, with fat, muscle, fertility, good structure, and the good, Kurra-Wirra wool that we’re known for,” he said.
He said it was rams like these that were preferred in the catalogue.
“This is our fourth year selling rams with ASBVs, and I think it’s taken time for our clients to switch over to a new way of doing it,” he said.
“But they’re starting to pick up the benefits of [the system], and are now buying using ASBVs with more confidence.”
On an offering of about half/half Merinos and Poll Merinos, the polled rams were in higher demand.
But Mr Close said it was a successful sale overall, with new clients, as well as many return buyers.
He said rams also presented well.
“We think we’ve really stepped up our game in the last couple of years, we’re really happy with our wool quality and growth and fat figures,” he said.
They had been gifted a positive season, which he said helped the rams reach their full potential.
Word had spread that Kurra-Wirra had recently purchased The Mountain Dam stud, and Mr Close said this increased interest in the sale, with former Mountain Dam clients attending.
Ardenside Angus, Tooma, NSW, were another volume buyer, taking home 17.