SHERLOCK Poll Merino stud equalled its previous $7000 on-property record with an outstanding son of homebred sire Hunter on Tuesday last week.
The star of the 36th annual ram sale held by Wes and Andy Titley was lot 11 - sired by the 2017 Royal Adelaide Show supreme exhibit.
The 17.9 micron ram was bought by client of more than 20 years BE Launer, Murray Bridge.
Mr Titley said the sale-topper had always been a "standout" with a "very long staple, soft white wool with an excellent wool test", including a comfort factor of 100 per cent.
"It is really square and wide from head to tail with a lot of meat in the twist." he said.
Mr Launer said he had been impressed by the large frames, length of staple and crimpy white wool of the Sherlock sheep.
He also bought the second-highest price ram - lot 7 for $5800.
Overall, 77 of 100 rams sold, averaging $1744.
Bruce Agars, Lockswell Pastoral, Port Lincoln, was the sale's largest buyer with 14 rams to $2800 twice, averaging $1793.
Related reading: Sherlock claims first supreme Merino trophy
In an indication of the value buying throughout the catalogue, Mr Agars had to pay a $2414 average for the same number of rams in 2018.
Dean Helyar, Drualat Bore Pastoral Trust, Murray Bridge, bought eight rams to $4000, averaging $2644.
He said the Sherlock sheep suited his enterprise, being deep bodied with bright, white wool with a stylish crimp.
Bates Holdings, Penneshaw, also secured eight rams to $2000 twice to average $1300. The Bateses have been on Sherlock bloodlines for eight years and like Sherlock's "true to type" wool, which does well in their high rainfall country on the Dudley Peninsula on Kangaroo Island.
They run 5000 ewes with a self-replacing Merino flock and Prime SAMM-Merinos mated to Suffolks for prime lamb production.
Other volume buyers included Marbel Ag, Kadina, with seven rams averaging $1257, Redbanks Pastoral Co, KI, with six rams averaging $1766 and GL Lutz, Tailem Bend, which bought six rams averaging $1033.
Due to seasonal conditions, some clients were unable to operate, which dropped the clearance to 77pc.
Mr Titley said the wools on their sheep were continually improving.
"Coming out of the worst drought in history, our ewes still had a yield over 68pc with no backs removed from the clip,"he said.
Elders Murray Bridge conducted the sale with Tom Penna the auctioneer.
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