Stud record top, av at Nantoura sale

The 69 of 70 rams sold to $4100, up $500 from last year’s previous top price.

With an extra 10 rams in the line up, the stud also increased its average price to $2201, up $215 on 2016.

The top price ram was bought by repeat buyer Jeff Biggs, Westwud, Wudinna, who also bought the top price ram last year.

The ram – lot 9 – was the biggest ram in the sale at 112 kilograms with a 19.9 micron, 2.7 standard deviation, 13.5 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor.

Mr Biggs said the ram had a great frame with a “square back-end” and beautiful white wool.

He bought three rams in total for an average $3430.

JL&LM Sampson, Kimba, bought eight rams, averaging $2925, including the second top price ram – lot 66 – at $3700.

The ram weighed 105kg with 120pc greasy fleece weight, 19.8m, 2.9SD, 14.4CV and 99.6CF.

Classings Ltds’ Bill Walker, Murray Bridge, bought eight rams on behalf of Stevens Farming, Broken Hill, NSW, to $1800, averaging $1525.

Bengor Props, Melrose, bought six rams to $3100, averaging $2214.

Long-time clients ER&BR Miller, Wharminda, bought six rams to $2600, averaging $2200.

Stud principal Chris Prime said he had been a bit nervous leading into the sale, considering the seasonal conditions.

“People picked the rams they wanted and pushed those up,” he said.

“We had 10 extra rams in the sale, hoping to clear them and still have affordable rams for clients.

“People are getting a bit more for their sheep and wool and are happy to invest that in their rams.”

Mr Prime said, despite the tough season, the rams still presented well.

“We’ve had the driest May and June on record and in the past five or six weeks, the rams have had 150 millimetres of rain on them so we’ve put them through everything,” he said.

“They still lined up really well.”

The sale was conducted by Eyre Peninsula Livestock & Real Estate with Ben Dickenson as auctioneer.