Western stud achieves top price at the Ballarat Corriedale sale

Milton Savage, Gambier View, Derrinallum, sold lot 15 for $3500 and also achieved the second top price of $3000 with lot 16 in the Helmsman auction.

Mr Savage said the ram was sired by Gambier View 13/230 "Big Boy", the 2018 senior champion ram at the Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show and Ballarat.

Big Boy also sired the 2019 supreme champion Corriedale at Ballarat, Bendigo and Hamilton.

Read more: Corriedale working ram reigns supreme

"I couldn't be happier, we have done very well," Mr Savage said.

The top-priced ram went to an undisclosed buyer, through Arcadian Wool's Tim Lord.

"He is a true Corriedale type, he wasn't the finest of the sheep, but he had that bold crimp on him," Mr Savage said.

"He was a good woolled sheep and well structured on his feet, as well," Mr Savage said.

He had measurements of a 25.9-micron fleece and weighed 104kilograms.

Australian Corriedale Association Victorian president Bruce Hamblin said he was surprised most of the rams went to commercial flocks.

"There is no doubt the sheep are getting better and better, every year," Mr Hamblin said.

"There was one ram there that would suit any stud in Australia; he was that good."

The ram was sold to a commercial operator.

"They should be sought out by the composite people because we have the size, we have wool, we have everything," Mr Hamblin said.

Buyers came from interstate for the sale, which featured seven Victorian and one South Australian Corriedale studs.

Volume buyers included Hinnomunjie Station (6) Langi Kal Kal (3) and Weaver Livestock (3).

Elders conducted the auction.