POLL Merino rams sold to excellent demand at the Barton Hill on-property ram sale at Burra last Tuesday, with all 100 rams clearing to an average of $1457.
Stud principals Jo and David Gebhardt were pleased with the sale and the selection of rams they had up for offer - with all sale rams having an average micron of 19.9, coefficient of variation of 16.7 per cent, standard deviation of 3.3 and comfort factor of 99.2pc.
Lot three - a ram sired by a syndicate of P090 sons mated to 'wool' ewes - was the top price ram of the sale at $5200.
He was bought by Alastair and Deb MacAllam, Willila, Woodchester, who have been return buyers at the Barton Hill sale for the past 25 years.
The ram had fleece measurements of 19.7M, 3.2SD, 16.1CV, 99.4CF and a greasy fleece weight percentage of 105 - 5pc above the sale ram average - combined with a bodyweight percentage of 105.
Mr MacAllan said the ram was a good, robust sire, with good wool and frame.
"He had a nice, good crimp with very soft wool and a very good muzzle," he said.
Mr MacAllam had recently sold Merino wether sucker lambs - Barton Hill blood - for $62.
Auctioneers Tom Penna from Elders and Landmark's Leo Redden said the sale was "par for course".
"They are fast-growth and easy care sheep," Mr Penna said.
"They have consistent good quality rams every year and they attract good competition from return buyers.
"There was strong competition for the top end of rams, but there was also good value, with rams also selling for $600 to $900."
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 26 issue, 2013.
