*180 of 192 rams sold to $7750, av $2724
Interest from across Australia drove prices to a $7750 high at Hazeldean Merinos 2020 Monaro Ram Sale in Cooma last Thursday.
The stud sold 180 rams out of 192 offered for a clearance rate of 94 per cent and average of $2724.
It was long-time client, Brian Anderson of Binda, NSW, who beat the competition to take home the top-priced ram.
Mr Anderson said he had been attending the Hazeldean ram sale since he was 13 years old.
The top-priced ram was by Hazeldean 12004030, who had 11 sons in the sale.
Hazeldean's Bea Bradley Litchfield said the sire had been a potent ram for the stud in recent years.
"He stamps his progeny really well, has really good structure and is consistent in the wool and constitution," Ms Bradley Litchfield said.
"It's not surprising that one of his sons was the sale-topper."
The $7750 horned ram had a 17.5 micron fleece, a greasy fleece weight of 6.5 and was in the top five per cent of the breed for his yearling fleece weight percentage of 38.6.
Along with his agent Rick Power, Nutrien, Mr Anderson said he was chasing rams with a Nerstane background, good structure and high quality wool.
"It's even better when the ASBVs match our opinion," Mr Power said.
Three rams went under the hammer for $7000, the first of which was purchased by the Maclure Family Trust, Tarcutta, NSW.
Glenbernie Pastoral Company, Berridale also came home with a $7000 ram, as did the Dawes family from Yealering, Western Australia, with Craig Wilson, Craig Wilson and Associates, bidding for them.
Mr Wilson said the rams that went to Western Australia needed to be a specific type to fit the conditions.
They need to be open in the head because of the barley grass, free growing and easy doing.
- Craig Wilson, Craig Wilson and Associates
"They need to be open in the head because of the barley grass, free growing and easy doing," he said.
The volume buyers were DH Hill and Co, Springvale, Cootamundra, NSW, and G Irving and Co from Tramore, Woodside, each purchasing 15 rams at auction for an average of $3817 and $1500 respectively.
Locals Coolringdon Pastoral of Cooma, NSW, and South Australia's Water Valley P/L from Naracoorte were successful on 12 lots, for an average of $2937 and $1500 respectively.
Ms Bradley Litchfield said it was encouraging to see that rams went to nearly every state in Australia.
"It's really good getting that repeat clientele coming back and knowing that the rams perform in a range of environments."
