*235 of 255 rams sold to $2400, av $1168
FORTY-TWO registered buyers almost cleared the pens at the early-season Chrome Genetics ram sale on Friday at Yulecart.
Both repeat and new buyers travelled long distances, some from fire-affected areas, to make the most of the early sale.
There were 255 lots on offer with a clearance rate of 92 per cent across a range of breeds on offer.
The top price was Lot 13, a Chromedale ram, that sold for $2400.
The good clearance rate across all lots and breeds was consistent and contributed to the solid overall average of $1168.
The breed summary of averages had the Chromedales at $1365, the Perendales at $848, the Coopworths at $1123, the Icon Southies at $977, and the Icon Poll Dorsets at $1011.
Kerr & Co agent Zac Van Wegen noted the large number of buyers at the sale was what they would expect from the reliable breeder.
"They have a good client-base, a large and loyal following, especially for commercial breeders looking at ewe lambs being joined," he said.
"It was the best draft of spring-drops from this breeder and the buyers could see that consistency across the sale.
"There was not much difference in the quality of the rams across the board which meant this year in particular anyone could buy a very good ram at a price that suited them."
Kerr & Co agent Robert Claffey was the bidder for the top-priced ram on behalf of South Tahara Park at Wagga Wagga, NSW.
He noted his client was keen on the "evenness of type and the tight skins" that the Chromedales offered.
He also said his client was a repeat buyer because Chrome offered "consistent middle of the road, early maturing animals".
Barry and Kim Hammat, Kangaroo Island, SA, were the main volume buyers, with a total of 18 Chromedale rams at an average of $1772.
The Hammats are repeat buyers for their self-replacing composite flock of 3000 ewes.
Mr Hammat was taking the rams back to their fire-affected property, hoping it would remain un-burnt.
"We could not miss the opportunity to buy, we notice the genetics are really good for us every time," he said.
"he wether component finishes extremely well and the ewes are very reliable."
Vendors Matt and Tanya Tonissen said they were very pleased with the turn-up and the sale results, reflecting it was an extension of their efforts over the years.
"We have worked hard to create composite sheep that are uniform," Mr Tonissen said.