*Total clearance of 84 rams sold to $9500, av $4146
THE annual Oakbank Merino and Poll Merino on-property ram sale recorded a best-ever result with a total clearance of 84 rams at an average of $4146.
Stud principal Warren McRae said the average was a record for the Gre Gre North-based stud.
Mr McRae said the rams had presented well after enduring a tight early season to flourish since the year went on.
The 2021 sale average was nearly $700 up on 2020 which was $600 above the 2019 result.
He said there were many factors behind the strong sale result with sheep breeders "making a lot of money in the last couple of years from sheep".
"In a mixed-farming area, sheep can control weeds a bit cheaper - they stomp on a lot of snails and mice," he said.
"Farmers are prepared to invest in a new tractor to grow better crops and they can spend some money on rams to grow better sheep."
Mr McRae said the inquiry was mainly from return clients.
The Rogerson family, Glenthompson, paid $9500 for Lot 2, a young sire weighing 103 kilograms with a 19.9-micron fleece, a standard deviation (SD) of 2.9, a coefficient of variation (CV) of 14.6 and a comfort factor (CF) of 99.9 per cent.
Elders area wool manager and buyer representative Elliot Lindley, Ballarat, said the family had been looking to buy a suitable stud sire.
Tamaleuca Merino stud, Ouyen, paid $8000 for Lot 1, a 19.3-micron ram with an SD of 3.3, a CV of 17.1 and CF of 99.5pc.
Buyer of the top-priced ram in 2020, Roger Clark, Murrawong, Telopea Downs, was again active this year, paying to a top of $7000 on two occasions for lots 13 and 32, in a total of seven rams.
Lot 13 was a 19.6-micron ram with an SD of 3.4, a CV of 17.5 and CF of of 99.1pc and weighed 104kg, while Lot 32 was a 20.9-micron ram with an SD of 3.5, a CV of 16.6 and CF of 99.9pc and weighed 107kg.
R & L Jackson, Moyston, paid $7250 for Lot 58, a Barry son, that had a 20.2-micron fleece, an SD of 3.7, CV of 18.4 and CF of 98.6pc.
Making $7000 was Lot 28, purchased by WD & BJ Jones Family Trust, Donald.
The Barry son had a 20.2-micron fleece, with an SD of 3.4, a CV of 17 and CF of 99.5pc, and weighed 112kg.
Another volume buyer was account West, Raywood, who bought five rams to a top of $5500.
Repeat buyers, Gary and Leon Clark, Nhill, purchased six rams to a top of $5750.
E Dart & Sons paid to a top of $5750 for a draft of five rams.
