Widespread interest at Woodoona’s on-property ram sale yesterday saw all bar one registered buyer walk away with a well-balanced, healthy ram from the Borrika stud.
At the third annual sale, 63 of 79 sold to a lower average of $1340 and a top of $4000.
The top-priced ram went to first-time buyer, Hayden Zander, Karoonda, who knew exactly what he was getting having worked on the property.
“I actually work here so I know the good genetics that run through the Poll Merino rams, especially the R070 family,” Mr Zander said.
“I particularly liked the size of the ram and the stylish, heavy-cutting wool.”
The 104-kilogram ram was sired by Moorundie Park R070 and presented fleece figures of 18.1 micron, 2.6 standard deviation, 14.4 coefficient of variation and 100 per cent comfort factor.
The Simcock family, Tailem Bend, sought out a quality selection of decent framed rams with good wool to run across 1000 breeding Merinos, and took home five to a top of $3600 – the second highest on the day – averaging $2620.
Robert and Anne’s son Ryan, 11, enthusiastically took on the bidding for their rams with dad “giving the nudge” as to when to raise the card.
Keilira Proprietors, Kingston, SE, stuck with the consistent quality of wool and carcase of the Woodoona rams and bought 12 averaging $1200.
Local buyers Shane and Cindy Rooke, Karoonda purchased four averaging $1325, and PG&LG Ieedham, Karoonda also took home four averaging $1175.
Stud principal Nick Wood they were able to invest in good genetics of the back a good season last year.
“We had quite a few customers who aren’t currently in the market having recently de-stocked, but there were quite a few new customers who bought today as well and I think they got some affordable, good value rams.”