Brimanna soars to $5000

Jayden Harris' Brimanna stud keeps going from strength-to-strength – the record $5000 sale-topper at the 29th annual auction was up $300 on the 2013 record of $4700.

And the $1643 average was $182 up on the $1461 record set last year.

A full clearance of 60 rams was achieved, thanks to a good spread of volume buyers from across the state.

Happy return buyers underpinned the sale, including Wirrulla brothers Clint and Troy Olsen, Kaira Pty Ltd, who took the top ram, as they did at last year's sale.

"I don't think you could get a better sheep, because of the structure of the ram and the way he presents himself," Troy said.

The ram had everything they were looking for.

"He's got nice, soft-handling, white wool, and is a good all-round wool cutter," he said.

At 111 kilograms, the ram had an eye muscle depth of 39 millimetres, fat score of 9, and wool figures of 18.9 microns, 2.6 standard deviation, 13.9 coefficient of variation 13.9 and 99.9 per cent comfort factor.

He was sired by Minta 215, which Mr Harris bought in 2013 for $15,500, and proved a savvy investment, because this year's Brimanna sale was its first featuring sons of Minta 215 and many of them sold at the top end of the catalogue.

The Olsens took a further five rams to $4200. Mr Harris said he had spent $25,000 on new bloodlines in the past two years, and the results showed in this year's line-up.

"It's great to know the investment in rams is paying off. I think the quality of rams offered this year is one of the best we've ever had, and that's been shown through bidding at the sale," he said.

He said he was looking forward to introducing sons from a ram he bought from North Ashrose stud's 2014 auction at $7800, at his sale next year.

Buying the second top-price ram at $4800 last week was NA&AM Maddern, Yeelanna.

After buying for the first time in 2013, Waikerie farmer Allen Buckley, Glenrae Holdings, has returned each year, and this time bought four to $2000.