*257 of 279 Perendale and Southdown cross rams to $2300, av $1386.
INTERSTATE buyers travelled to the Hamilton Showgrounds last week for Yarram Park's seventh annual ram sale.
The stud sold 257 rams, recording a 92 per cent clearance rate with a top price of $2300.
Yarram Park manager Jeremy Upton said he was pleased with the result after a total clearance of the stud's 90 maternals to $1750.
"We were extremely pleased with the overall results, and it was the strongest sale we have had since moving away from private selling seven years ago," he said.
"We had a strong return of regular clients continuing to support us which is greatly appreciated, as well as a number of new clients which is really encouraging as we strive to grow the stud."
Mr Upton said the pleasing results were due to a number of factors, including a "wonderful season" in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia.
"Commodity prices are very strong, particularly in the lamb industry, and it's a great opportunity for people to source some new genetics and top up their ram power for next year's joining season," he said.
The remaining 22 rams sold following the sale, Mr Upton said, to an average of $1386.
Top price buyers Peter and Andrew Heazlewood, Penshurst paid $2300 for one ram and were among the volume buyers, taking home another five rams from the sale.
"We're looking for eaze of lambing and we don't want great big lambs so this fits in with our operation," Peter Heazlewood, PG, JA and AJP Heazlewood, said.
"At this stage we'll use him on our first cross ewes and we'll keep the ewe portion as our replacements."
He said the rams would be joined from February 1, crediting the top ram for his birth weight figures and strong frame.
"We've been buying Yarram Park rams for three years now and they have always performed well for us," Mr Heazlewood said.
Volume buyers for the maternal-bred rams included Murdeduke Ag, Davis Partners, T and C Hudson, Wiltara Farms and Goldsworthy Trust.
In Yarram Park's Southdown cross rams, 159 of 173 sold with all rams cleared after the sale for a total clearance which averaged $1325 to a top of $1700 on several occasions.
Volume buyers included Woodhouse Ag, Salt Creek, Kerrsville Pastoral, Mondilibi, and Peel Ag.
Bernie Grant LMB Livestock agent Bernie Grant said the maternal sale recorded the highest average on record for Yarram Park.
"The rams were very consistent and are an even type and the data matched the rams as well," he said.
"They went into New South Wales, down into Tasmania and even into South Australia so they certainly are working for those repeat buyers who keep coming every year."