Outstanding 11th sale for Lawral Park

There was also an improved average - up $121 to $1242 - although there were still plenty of rams to be bought in the $600 to $1000 range.

The sale was boosted by eight new clients, one of them Ross Taylor, who with his daughter Kelly-Anne Gooch, Tiarri Prime SAMMs, Lake Grace, WA, paid the $4000 top. The July 2013-drop ram weighed 107 kilograms and had an eye muscle depth of 47.8 millimetres, a fat score of 6.7 and 23-micron wool.

Elders stud stock manager SA Tony Wetherall said it was a "tremendous stud sire, with balance and presence".

Two rams made the second-top-price of $3000. One went to two WA buyers - Alan and Sandy Forbes, Royston Prime SAMM stud, Jerramungup, and GJ Squires & Son, Shirlee Downs Prime SAMM stud, Quairading. The May 2013-drop ram weighed 111kg, with an EMD of 48mm, fat score of 5.5 and 23.4M.

The other $3000 ram, a July 2013-drop, 98kg with EMD of 42.1mm, fat score 4.4 and 20.4M fleece, went to regular buyers KJ Bittner & Sons, Curramulka, along with two to $2300.

Volume buyers were KVG&A Turner, Boorungie Station, via Broken Hill, taking 10 to $1150.

Long-time Lawral Park clients Ron and Sandra Shephard, Hurtlegrove Pastoral Co, Orroroo, took eight to $1700.

First-time buyers BM&EM Mickan, Cummins, took three to $2400.

NSW buyers were Greg Quade, Trundle, four to $1200, and Evan Fealy, Urana, one at $2400.

Vic buyer GF&CM Rathjen, Homfeld Prime SAMM stud, Bendigo, took one at $2300.

AJ&PA McBride Pty Ltd, Burra, bought six to $2400.

Gerard Heffernan through Elders Wagga, NSW, bought six to $1000.

Mr Lawrie said he was very pleased with the line-up of rams.

"I was very lucky - we've had a huge amount of wet weather recently, but the warmer weather just before the sale meant they've been able to bloom and they've really come up a treat this year," he said.

* Full report in Stock Journal, August 21, 2014 issue.