*105 of 110 rams sold to $15,000, av $2433
Rams sold under the hammer to $15,000 at the annual sale Alistair and Natasha Wells, One Oak Poll Merino stud, Jerilderie, NSW, in a penning of 110 rams.
Of the 105 rams sold the average was $2433.
The average micron for all of the rams penned was 19.9 micron, 3.3 standard deviation (SD), 16.7 coefficient of variation (CV) and 99.1 per cent comfort factor (CF)..
Mr Wells said the wool was soft, white and heavy and the structure of the rams square, showing good constitution across the board.
The top priced ram was purchased by Geoff Longmire, Narrandera, NSW.
It was the first time Mr Longmire has purchased at One Oak Poll stud and he was advised by Michael Elmes, Smartstock, Narrandera.
Mr Longmire breeds his own replacement rams and selected the top priced ram for his outstanding conformation.
"I liked his whole structure, his barrel and depth," he said.
"He has a great sirey head, with bold crimping wool which is soft."
Mr Longmire's new sire had the fleece measurements of 21.2 micron, 2.9pc SD and 99.3pc comfort factor.
Before the auction, a ram was sold privately for $30,000 and bought by Justin Boughen, Kamora/Netley Park Poll Merinos, Karoonda, SA.
Mr Boughen "greatly admired the big soft muzzle of the ram and the style of the long stapled fleece".
"We came to buy a ram with white and pure wool," he said. "Our ram has terrific lock structure and a very dense fleece," he said.
The fleece measurements of 18.9 micron, 3.1pc SD and 99.3pc CF with a body weight of 119kg.
Sales of high priced rams included Stavely Park Merinos, Stavely, which bought one for $8500: Illawarra Merino stud, Milbrulong, NSW, who took one home for $7000 and Carrabungla Pastoral Co, Laggan, NSW, who paid $8500 for their selection.
Eulo Pastoral Co, Harden, NSW, added to their sire strength with a $6500 purchase, and Andrew Arbuckle, St Arnaud, paid $5500 for his choice of the offering, as did R.F and F.T Gavel, Condobolin, NSW.
Further sales included one at $5500 and one at $3500 bought by V.H.S Ag, Humula, NSW, and one at $6000 purchased by Narada Grazing Co, Tambo, Queensland, in their draft of six rams for $2542 average price.
Mr Wells was pleased with the amount of stud interest in the rams and the support received on the day from new and existing clients and those on the AuctionPlus platform.
Despite the high prices early, long term clients were still able to purchase rams at an affordable and competitive price, Mr Well said.