THERE was an air of exuberance at the North Cowie Merino and Poll Merino stud's annual ram sale at Warooka, after the on-property record price was broken twice during the main auction.
In the main sale, 61 of 64 rams were sold to $6000, averaging $1954, while 74 of 90 rams sold in the mini auction.
Regular buyers Philip and Sandy Gutsche, Yorketown, bought the $6000 top-price ram - a $1400 increase on the top ram price at last year's sale.
The 121.5-kilogram Merino, a son of NC6.01, had a 19.7-micron fleece with 2.8 standard deviation, 14.2 coefficient of variation and 133 per cent greasy fleece weight.
The Gutsche family bought six rams in total, averaging $2650.
The second record breaker was the heaviest ram in the catalogue, a 122.5kg son of Mazda, and was bought by Inverglen Farms, Horsham, Vic.
North Cowie co-principal Joe Murdoch said the family was pleased with how the sale went, saying a focus on getting richness and nourishment into their wools was a factor in the success.
"We were really happy with how the sale went," he said.
"We had a good clearance and picked up some new clients and it was pleasing to see the optimism people have in our rams."
RELATED READING: Roemahkita sets record average
RELATED READING: Mulloorie rams backed by long-term clients
RELATED READING: Return clients push average up at Dalveen
Mr Murdoch also said it was pleasing to see their main pastoral client Wirryilka Pastoral, Broken Hill, NSW, supporting them heavily.
Wirryilka bought 17 rams in the main auction, averaging $859, and 47 in the mini auction, averaging $632.
Poll Merinos were sold to $4400 twice with WMM&A Pengilly, Warooka, buying a 104.5kg son of NC150322, and HR Allen & Co, Warooka, buying a 111.5kg son of OC Opal.
Landmark auctioneer Leo Redden described the sale as the "best ever" at North Cowie.
"There were a number of rams sold between $4000 and $6000 at the top end, while there were also a lot of rams sold between $1000 and $1500 which represented good value for buyers," he said.
"These sheep continue to deliver rich quality, stylish wools on fast-growing carcases. That's what buyers are responding to."
Landmark's Mr Redden and Alistair Keller conducted the sale, alongside Elders' Tony Wetherall.
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Click here to sign up to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
