*47 of 60 rams sold to $6250, av $2558
MOUNT Yulong Merino stud's annual ram sale at Telangatuk East saw large support from return buyers on Tuesday.
Bidding was competitive during the first portion of the sale, but it wasn't until Lot 16 came up that the top-priced ram came through.
Lot 16 was a grandson of East Mundulla Monty, and was secured by Nutrien Wool agent John McGrath for Peter Remfrey, Stavely, for $6250.
The ram had tested 19.8 for micron, a comfort factor of 99.4 per cent, a standard deviation of 2.8, and greasy fleece weight of 6.1.
"Peter has supported Mount Yulong for many years now, and they have done very well for him down at Stavely," Mr McGrath said.
"They are a good, productive sheep and have done the job for Peter, and he has kept coming back because they have worked."
Mr Remfrey also secured Lot 9, who was one of the equal second top-priced rams, for $5000.
Peter Wettenhall, Dungloe Partnership, Coojar, secured the other two second top-priced rams, Lot 6 and Lot 8.
"The two rams we secured just had a good staple crimp, good conformation, and are fine enough to suit what we are breeding," Mr Wettenhall said.
"It is our second year buying from Mount Yulong, and they are safe sheep for us being in the same area."
Volume buyer Neville Robinson, WD, RG & NW Robinson, Charam, secured nearly one-third of the draft offered to a top of $3000, and an average of $1697.
The Robinsons run a mixed operation of Merino and first-cross ewes, cattle and cropping.
"We were looking for rams that had a good wool cut, large size and frame, and that overall doability," he said.
"They are good flock rams that are going to do well, cut some wool and produce good lambs that will do it all over again.
"These rams suit our dual-purpose operation, and we need rams that follow that right through to the second-cross lamb."
Mount Yulong stud principal Peter Rogers was appreciative of the support received by return clients, increasing the average by over $800 compared to 2020.
"We had a very good sale, the best rams sold well, and our average was well up on last year," Mr Rogers said.
"Whilst our clearance was on par with last year, our clients were able to secure what they wanted from the rams offered.
"I think the focus on the size and shape of our sheep, putting that muscle and meat into them, whilst retaining that white wool, and that style of sheep, is what sold exceptionally well."