Lorelmo KS builds sale average

A total of 30 rams sold from the 38 offered - including a selection of Southrose rams selected at the stud's dispersal last year - and the average rose slightly on last year.

The Keynes family were pleased with the line of rams they put forward, with the Lorelmo KS sale rams averaging 17.3-micron and 2.8M standard deviation.

Making the trek from Kangaroo Island, Brian and Jenny Cleland, Antechamber Bay, selected the $2800 top price ram at lot three.

The 16.8M ram was by G11 178 'Son of a Gun' and had a 17.7 per cent coefficient of variation, 2.8M SD and 99pc comfort factor, along with a 103pc greasy fleece weight.

Mr Cleland said he liked the ram for its overall condition and lower micron.

"We are chasing that lower micron," he said.

"We average 17M in our ewe flock and we are aiming to keep it there or better if we can."

He said the ram also stood well and had "beautiful crimped wool".

The Clelands run about 1000 fine wool ewes on their KI property, with an initial base of Grange bloodlines 14 years ago.

"We've slowly been improving the quality since then and this ram will add to that," Mr Cleland said.

The Clelands also purchased one other ram, a 16.8M son of 100 327 'Chevy', for $1400.

The $2000 second highest price was paid by MacBod Pty Ltd, Naracoorte, for another son of Chevy.

The 17.3M ram had a 17.4pc CV, 3M SD and 97pc CF along with a 100pc GFW.

MacBod purchased two rams, averaging $1850.

Spence, Dix & Co were the volume buyers on the day, taking seven rams at $700 for an undisclosed client.

Sale regulars J&M Andre, Kangaroo Inn, took six rams to $1800, averaging $1233.

A number of buyers took two rams each, including Chelwood Farming, Hartland Farm, Mt Bevor Props, Natalee Station, Aston Station and WM Evans.

Georgie Keynes, on behalf of the Keynes family, said it was good to see a number of long-term clients out again, as well as a few new ones looking at Southrose rams.

Buyers tended to favour the finer micron rams, she said, with stronger wooled rams lacking competition.

"The higher Dual Purpose index rams were also sought after, but definitely the finer wools were most attractive," she said.

Elders auctioneer Tom Penna said the vendors fully realised the fine wool market at present was not providing enough premiums to drive ram sales, but that those hanging in would be rewarded when the market returned to more favourable conditions.

"For a year or two buying is going to be on the buyer's side, and the buyers definitely had a win here today," he said.

"The Keynes family have done a very good job on the presentation side here, as they always do."

The sale was conducted by Elders Roseworthy and Spence, Dix & Co, with Mr Penna taking the bids.