A HUGE amount of stud interest plus strong commercial bidding added up to complete clearance of 230 rams at the Collinsville on-property sale at Hallett on Monday.
There were 201 Poll Merinos sold, averaging $2249, and 29 Merinos, averaging $2462. The overall average of $2276 was $222 up on last year.
Buying the top price ram at $15,000 was Angus Stockman, Glenowie, Burra.
Mr Stockman said he was chasing the Imperial bloodline.
“The ram’s also a good type, with a large frame. It’s got rich wool, with good fleece weight and good micron,” he said.
The ram had 19.1 micron fleece, with 2.5 standard deviation, 13.1 coefficient of variation and 99.8 per cent comfort factor.
A May 2017-drop, the Poll Merino ram also weighed 120 kilograms.
Two studs paid the second-highest price of $12,000 for Poll Merinos. Kiandra, Bordertown, bought a June 2017-drop ram weighing 116kg, with 18.9M fleece, with 3.4SD, 18CV and 99.3 CF; while North Ashrose, Gulnare, bought a May 2017-drop ram weighing 115kg, with 20M fleece, 3SD, 15CV and 99.7CF. North Ashrose also bought another Poll Merino at $8500.
Further stud interest came from Wes Titley, Sherlock stud, Sherlock, who bought a ram at $10,000 and another at $4500; Ken Sawers, Canowie, Coonalpyn, with one at $6000; and Mark Hoffrichter, Maramville, Ceduna, took one at $5000.
Other studs buying included Jaburee, Wilmington, with one at $5500, Kamora Netley Park, Sandalwood, two to $5500, and Andoma, Mundulla, two to $6500.
First-time buyer Genanegie Merino stud, Dubbo, NSW, bought the top and second-highest price Merinos, at $10,000 and $9000.
The $10,000 ram was a June 2017-drop and weighed 118kg, with 20.3M fleece, 2.8SD, 13.8CV and 99.9CF.
Other first-time buyers included T&S Lockhart, Wedderburn, Vic, with seven rams to $2600, averaging $1885; TF&DL Roberts, Charlton, Vic, eight to $1800, averaging $1475; CJ&KM Holt, Wedderburn, six to $3000, averaging $2133; Hill River Pastoral, Clare, three to $4000, averaging $3400; BCE Pastoral, Keith, 14 to $1700, averaging $1457 and Anona Pastoral Company, West Wyalong, NSW, five to $1800, averaging $1460.
The major volume buyer was return client Tippendale South Grazing Co, Dirranbandi, Qld, with 28 rams to $2600, averaging $1821.
Principal George Millington said he was proud of the line-up, particularly for its depth and trueness to type.
Elders conducted the sale with Tony Wetherall, Jack Coleman and Paul Kilby sharing auctioneering duties.
“To have 230 rams display such size, bone, bulk and evenness right throughout shows why Collinsville is one of the leading sellers of stud and commercial rams in Australia,” Mr Wetherall said.
“Having a lot of stud activity at the sale endorses the performance of Collinsville’s stud sires.
“Equally, there were a lot of repeat commercial buyers from right across Australia, and that led to a great sale and a great result.”