AT Hamilton Run's Poll Merino and Dohne sale at Jamestown on Thursday last week, there was total clearance of the 200 rams offered.
The top price of $3600 was achieved twice, with rams bought by Jamestown farmers Ryan and Shona Simpson, and Kingston farmers Brett and Rebecca McLaren.
The Simpsons secured a 20.4-micron Poll Merino with 3 standard deviation, 14.7 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.4pc comfort factor. The McLarens placed the final bid on a 19.2M Poll Merino with 3SD, 15.6CV and 99.7CF.
Stud principals Greg Andrews and Nicole Luckraft were pleased with full clearance of 100 Poll Merinos and 100 Dohnes.
The Poll Merino sale was strong, clocking an average of $1592, up from $1478 last year.
Mr McLaren bought four rams in total, which head back to their property in the Blackford district north east of Kingston, where they run 8000 Merinos.
He was impressed with his rams, particularly their cover from shoulder to rump, consistent micron and white, soft-handling wools.
"Discolouration of wool is never an issue with Hamilton Run bloodlines, which is very important to us in our high rainfall area," he said.
Ryan and Shona bought seven in total for a $2385 average, which they will mate to maiden ewes on their property at Belalie North.
The Simpsons have been using Hamilton Run genetics in their 1500-head, self-replacing Merino flock for four years and are reaping the benefits.
"We are getting great results with Hamilton Run rams – they're good, heavy-cutters of a nice, white wool and they produce fast-growing meaty lambs," Mr Simpson said.
"We also get better lambing percentages because the ewes have a good amount of fat and can tough it out in drier conditions."
Ben, Susan and Ben Carn, Carn Nominees, were the highest-volume Poll Merino buyer, securing 13 rams for their pastoral country near Quorn.
The Carns have been buying Hamilton Run rams for six years and like their big, plain bodies and free-combing, high-yielding wool.
AL&J Woolford, Port Augusta, bought seven rams around the $1000 mark. Caltowie farmer Matt Pammenter, Terinlee Ltd, bought seven rams for a $2114 average.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 11, 2014 issue.
