THE DECISION to increase their 2015 ram offering has paid off for Nyowee at Balaklava, with the stud's sale average increasing by nearly $200.
Stud principals Ian and Di Michael offered 30 more head than their previous sale, after posting a pleasing average of $1914 in 2014.
At last week's sale, the Michaels sold all 160 stud and commercial Poll Merinos on offer to $5250, averaging $2118.
Mr Michael was really pleased with the sale, particularly with how well his rams presented.
"We have been having a terrific season and the sheep have been out in the paddock for most of it," he said.
"It was also good to see such great support from local and pastoral areas, who are also benefiting from the terrific season and the wool and meat job being so buoyant."
The sale kicked off with the 16-month-old lots, with spirited bidding from the get-go.
Long-time client and neighbour Philip Roberts, Goodonga Props, Auburn, bought the first two lots at $5000; but it was lot 4, bought by brothers John and Geoff Scott, Hilltown/Andrews, that made the sale's top price.
The 107kg ram - a Nyowee 210 syn son - measured 20.81M with a 3.69SD, 17.79CV, 5mm fat, 99pc CF and 42.5mm EMD.
The Scotts, who buy rams solely from Nyowee, bought eight at the sale, averaging $3394, which they will run with their 1600 breeding ewes.
John said they were chasing dual purpose sheep - "rams with big plain bodies and free growing wool".
In the 13-month-old lots, Warooka Pastoral, Melville Forest, Vic, paid the top-price of $4600 for a 95kg, 19.63M ram, measuring 3.7SD, 18.88CV, 99.3CF, 4.8 fat and 39.6 EMD.
Warooka bought seven rams in total, averaging $2543.
Alisha Fogden
Cropping editor of Stock Journal.
Cropping editor of Stock Journal.
