Long-term clients, the Burge family were highly competitive at Greenfields Merino and Poll Merino on-property ram sale at Booborowie on Monday.
The of Burges, who have properties at Ceduna, Gawler Ranges and Cummins, bought the top price Merino ram at $9250, top price Poll Merino ram at $4200, and were also the highest volume buyer in a full clearance of 120 Merino and Poll Merino rams, where the overall sale average was $1987.
The Merino ram, which was sired by Greenfields Lofty, sported figures of 22.3 micron, 3.7 standard deviation, 16.6 coefficient of variation, and 97.6 comfort factor.
The Burge family also secured the top Poll Merino, which had a fleece of 21.9M, 2.9SD, 13.2CV, and 99.5CF.
Greenfields genetics have been key to the Burge family's flock ram breeding program for more than 30 years, with them chasing an exceptional wool cut and quality as well as big-framed sheep that perform well in tough pastoral conditions.
A total of 17 rams averaging $3700 were loaded up into the Burge trailer for their trip home to the West Coast.
The Greenfields sale attracted good competition right through to the end, with the last auctioned ram fetching $4000.
Streaky Bay clients SW Williams and Co bought one ram from the top echelon, paying $6000 for a with 20.2M wool, 3SD, 14.9CV and 99.8CF.
Greenfields stud principals Robert and James Sullivan said they were pleased with the outcome of the sale, particularly the strong clearance.
RELATED READING: Greenfields sale sells all to $13250 high
While the wool downturn and widespread drought conditions took the sting out of the sale, this presented good value buying for clients.
Kanyaka Props, via Hawker, were active bidders, taking home 16 strong commercial type rams to $1500 and average of $1143.
Kilroy Pastoral Co, Elliston, bought eight rams to $3200, averaging $1812.
Cleve farmers GC Cant and Sons bought a consistent line of seven bale-fillers to a top of $1750 and average of $1492.
RE&LK Jericho, Kimba, bought five rams to $3400, averaging $2220.
DL&JF Dutschke, Karoonda, bought three rams, one at $2800 and two for $2400.
JM&CC Oswald, Wudinna, bought four rams for an average of $2950 and top price of $3200.
RD&LA Proude, Port Lincoln, bought three rams for average of $2467 and top of $3600.
Greenfields also sold by mini auction an additional 27 rams. Of 16 Poll Merinos on offer, 10 sold to a top of $1300 and average of $1060. Of 11 Merinos offered, all sold to a top of $1500 and average of $1054.
They also offered 250 ewes with all sold, to a top of $320 in both Poll Merinos and Merinos, averaging $255 in Merinos and $217 in Poll Merinos.
Auctioneers Leo Redden and Tony Weatherall represented joint selling agents Landmark and Elders.
Special guest on the day was world champion wood chopper David Foster from Tasmania, family friend of the Sullivan family.
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