TOP and average prices rose at Morley Stud's 16th annual on-property Poll Merino ram sale on August 22 at Cleve, but it was a surprise member of the sales team that stole the show.
Lot 10, a son of Mernowie Escalator, took top honours fetching a handsome $4600, ahead of his more fancied sibling, lot two, at $2000.
Purchased by the Larwood family, the January-shorn ram blitzed the team average across every indicator, with an 18.8 micron fleece, 99.6 per cent comfort factor, 80pc yield and 115pc clean fleece weight.
Responsible for stock genetics on his family's Buckleboo property, Shannan Larwood said he was confident in the Morley offering having sourced sires since 2001.
"I was really impressed with lot 10, he's got a good stance, and his fibre is long and bright with a very defined crimp," Shannon said.
The Larwoods bought two more rams at $2000 and $2200, including the pre-auction favourite, all of which Shannon had earmarked following his viewing of Morley produce at the Eyre Peninsula Field Days earlier this month.
The sires will be matched accordingly with either top or flock Poll Merino ewes at the Larwoods' property.
Lot one, bought by long-time clients NW&AK Siviour, Tooligie Hill, and lot 36, bought by SC&LE Snodgrass, Ungarra, shared second top-price billing at $2400.
The Siviour family bought another ram at $2200, and the Snodgrass' collected two more - at $2100 and $1500.
The $4600 topper commanded $1600 more than 2013's best price, and this was complemented by a $104 rise in average.
"It's nice just to make a steady gain; as your costs go up it's nice to have your returns go up as well," stud principal Leonie Mills said.
* Full report in Stock Journal, August 28, 2014 issue.
