*51 of 56 rams sold to $3750, av $2102
BEVERLEY Merino stud's average jumped $400 during this year's seventh on-property ram sale.
The Redesdale stud sold 51 of its 56 rams to a top of $3750 to average $2102.
Stud principal John Barty said spirited bidding helped sell the well-presented line of one-year-old rams.
"A buoyant season feed-wise fuelled a very strong sale which exceeded our expectations," Mr Barty said.
"There were active buyers from the local area, north-east and western Victoria, NSW and strong support from Tasmania."
Mr Barty said it was his best ram sale to date.
"We've got two studs - the first one is a superfine stud and they were the first 40 rams in the sale and the second stud is a fine-to-medium stud based on One Oak genetics," he said.
"The second stud offers people a ram that cuts a bit more wool and are adapted to high rainfall areas."
The top-priced ram was bought by Douglas Park Pastoral, Tasmania, for $3750.
The sire's wool measured 16.7 micron, 2.5 standard deviation, 15 co-efficient variation and had a comfort factor of 99.9.
It was described as a big upstanding ram.
The top-priced ram in the second stud was bought by Ray Neville, Clive Farming, Cressy, Victoria, for $3000.
Mr Neville has been buying rams from Beverley Merino stud for more than 20 years.
"Four years ago we started buying rams from the number two stud and we've found those rams are giving us more size in our ewes and a heavier fleece cut which ultimately is making us more money," Mr Neville said.
"We liked this year's top ram because of his size and his wool cut..
"We run a flock operation and join about 2500 ewes so he will be joined in February."
"The number two stud has been giving us more size in our ewes and heavier fleece cut and that makes money."
The ram's wool measured 18.3 micron, 3.2 SD, 17.5 CV and 99.60 CF. He is the son of Roseville Park 16 - 0040.
Return client praises rams for frame, wool
Volume buyers included Tom James, Coliban Estate, Redesdale who bought six rams to a top of $ 3500.
Mr James said he had bought rams from the stud for 20 years.
"The rams have a larger frame and produce super fine, soft white elite wool," he said.
"We're targetting the Italian market in regards to our wool sales so we are trying to produce a nice soft wool that suits that market."
Mr James said the rams would be joined, along with existing rams, at the end of February to about 3000 Merino ewes.
Rams destined for interstate after sale
Rob Stable, Goornong, also bought three rams for $3500.
Wool Solutions, Tasmania, bought three rams to a top of $3250, as did R Carnochan, Sutton Grange, who bought three to $3250.
Andrew Pilgrim, Beaufort, selected four rams to a top of $3000.
Lower Marshes, Tasmania, bought three rams to a top of $2750.
Tony Brennan, Sedgwick, purchased three rams to $3000.
Bath Pastoral, Teesdale, bought for to $3250.
Have you signed up to Stock & Land's daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to Victorian agriculture.