STRONG competition from studs and commercial operators pushed up the clearance rate and average and top prices of Monday’s Australian Sheep & Wool Show ram sale.
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The sale average of $3464 was up marginally on last year, along with an improved clearance rate of 87 per cent up from last year’s 75pc.
The two top-priced rams fetched $30,000 and $28,000, both exceeding last year’s top price of $25,000.
The sale-topper was a Coddington Uardry Poll ram, which was sold to Pat Millear, Stud Park South, Willaura.
The Millear family fended off heated bidding to secure the 20.3-micron, August 2013-drop ram.
The ram made an early impression on Mr Millear, which he awarded champion August-shorn strong wool Merino ram on Saturday.
“He took my eye immediately,” he said. “I look at a ram of that quality as a very sound investment.
“He will give us extra scale and productivity in the stud. He’s got that productive, white crimpy wool, and will be a good-doing ram.
“We needed an injection in the Poll stud with a really productive Poll ram, and he’s going to be it.”
Graham Coddington, Coddington Uardry Poll Merino, Yeoval, NSW, said the ram was one of the best Poll rams he had ever sold.
“He’s an extreme animal in terms of body shape and size. I’ve got lambs by him that look outstanding,” he said.
“He has a very long body and bolder crimping wool than most Coddington Uardry Poll rams.”
His wool had a standard deviation of 3.7, coefficient of variation of 18.2pc, comfort factor of 99.5pc and a curvature score of 45.
The second highest priced ram was an Alfoxton Poll that sold for $28,000 to a Tasmanian syndicate, one of seven Roberts Wool Merino specialist Damian Meaburn said would be taken across the Bass Strait.
“We’re always looking for that unique sheep, typically in the top-end of the sale, that is a good-doing, fine/medium type to help keep the stud breeding operations going strongly in Tasmania,” he said.
Tasmanians Julian and Annabel von Bibra, Ross; John Taylor snr and jnr, Campbell Town, and Bruce Dunbabin, Swansea; and Trevor Hall, Young, NSW, bought the ram.
Mr von Bibra was excited to buy a Poll ram that still had terrific size and a pleasing quality and quantity of wool.
Vendor Chris Clonan, Alfoxton, Armidale, NSW, said the ram had earlier this year won supreme exhibit at the Queensland State Sheep Show and champion August shorn Poll Merino ram at Canberra Great Southern Supreme Merino show.
