MORE than 70 people attended the 28th annual Lampata Poll Merino sale at Lameroo on August 26, including 23 registered buying accounts - up six on last year.
The Pocock family again offered their draft of 60 paddock-reared and performance-measured rams for competition.
Bidders were initially cautious, trying to get a feel for the sale. This was reflected in the averages, because the first six rams averaged $1125, but the next six averaged $1633, the next six $1308 and lots 19 to 24 averaged $1333 when more bidders were becoming actively involved as they realised they could miss out.
Consequently there was a total clearance of the 60 rams in the main auction, up six on last year. These topped at $2800 - up $100 - averaging $1137, up $9 on last year. With a feel for possible higher demand pre-sale, Bruce, Gaye and Robert Pocock penned 29 more rams for a mini auction immediately after the main auction - 21 of these cleared to $700, giving a clearance of 81 rams for a $989 average.
"We are absolutely stoked to receive such strong support - and to sell 27 more rams than last year was the most pleasing aspect," Bruce said.
Of the registered buyers, 20 were successful in purchasing rams of choice, but it was regular sale-topping buyers, Trevor and Wayne Gilbertson, Parilla, who saw-off the opposition to secure the $2800 sale-topper Lampata 13283. This ram was the highest-indexed in the catalogue with 17.6-micron wool and a 138 per cent clean fleece weight - the highest in the offering.
Underbidders were Ray, Aileen and David Elleway, who again made the trip from Cleve. Despite missing the top ram they were very strong bidders and took seven top rams from $1100 to the sale's third top price of $1900 averaging $1529.
Long-term clients Barry and Ben McLellan, Rand, NSW, bid to the sale's second top price of $1950, taking six top rams averaging $1342.
"We travel the distance necessary to purchase the rams that consistently do the job for us, whether assessing that on fertility, wool or carcase - they are very productive all-round performers," Barry said.
The fertility aspect was highlighted by the number of twins, with 83pc of the sale rams being scanned as multiple births.
Elders agent David Daniels was the biggest volume buyer, for Jax Joynt, Loxton. With three at $700 each in the main auction and seven from the mini auction, their 10 rams averaged $605.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 4, 2014 issue.
