*46 of 60 rams sold to $4000, av $1784
A mix of new clients and return buyers resulted in 46 of 60 rams offered at the annual Forest Springs Merinos on-property sale on Wednesday.
The sale on behalf of the Dean family, Joel Joel, saw a rise in the average price of around $200 to $1784 with a top of $4000.
In 2019 the stud sold 31 of 72 rams under the hammer and averaged $1572.
"Hell yes, I'm pleased, especially to sell that number of rams as well as some after the sale," stud principal Bruce Dean said.
The result continued the momentum started from the stud's good result at this year's Classings Classic when they sold a ram for $10,000.
Mr Dean said the Classings Classic ram was a son of Mumblebone 130850, and had retained a brother of the ram.
Elders auctioneer, Ross Milne, said it was a good solid sale with an increase in the average.
"He is starting to grow his business and he's got a few new clients," Mr Milne said.
He said sale results in general had been good with good clearances.
He said there were also 21 registered on AuctionsPlus and a few bids placed, which was good.
The buyer of the top priced ram was Spencer Martin, Concongella, who paid $4000 for lot two a son of Forest Springs 171002 and grandson of Hynam "Big Kev".
The top lot had Australian Sheep Breeding Values of 20.1 microns with a co-efficient of variation (CV) of 14.9 per cent, a standard deviation (SD) of 3 and a six-month wool cut of 5.52 kilograms as well as a dual purpose plus (DP+) index of 148.
Mr Martin bought five rams in total including lot 9 for $3250. The ram was a double poll sire by Gunallo 150716. The ram had figures of 21.8 micron, a CV of 15.4pc, a SD of 3.4 and six month wool cut of 3.84kg and DP+ index of 150.
Lot 30 also went to the Martins for $3250. The ram was by Mumblebone 130850 and microned at 20 with a CV of 16.9pc, an SD of 3.4 and six-month wool cut of 5.52kg and DP+ index of 172.
New client who was also the volume buyer of the sale was Graeme and Hayden Price, Ben Nevis Farms, Crowlands.
The pair purchased seven rams to a top of $3000 for lot three of the sale. The ram was the son of Forest Springs 160334 and had a 21.7 micron fleece with a CV of 17.5pc and SD of 3.8. The ram cut 5.16kg at six months and had a DP+ of 151.
Another new buyer who purchased multiple lots was Gary McClelland, Emu. His top was lot eight at $3250 for a ram by Rices Creek 16207. The ram had a 20.4 micron fleece, a CV of 14.9pc, SD of 3 and a DP+ of 129.
Regular client T & C Eastick purchased two rams to a top of $3000 for lot 11 which was a son of Rices Creek 16207. The young ram had a 20.3 micron fleece, a CV of 16.7pc, an SD of 3.4 and cu a six-month fleece of 4.2kg. The ram had a DP+ of 127.
