JUDY and Keith Paech achieved a huge lift in the top price at their Lucernbrae Merino stud's annual on-property ram sale at Callington, with bids rising to $4400, a $1200 increase on last year's top price.
Overall, 50 of 60 rams offered were sold for an average of $1886 - also well up on 2019.
Twenty-three registered buyers at the sale competed with 16 bidders registered through AuctionsPlus. This included three new clients.
The top price of $4400 came at lot 30. Knocked down to G&JR Koopman, Tungkillo, the 108-kilogram ram had 18.5 micron wool and a Merino Production Plus index of 160.
Related reading: Bids fly to $17,000 for Orrie Cowie's big wool-cutter
The Koopmans also bought lot 11 - a 110kg ram with 17M wool that had a Merino Production Plus index of 171 - for $4200.
K&M Thiele were the volume buyers, with seven rams to $3500. Their top price ram was lot 18, a 96kg ram with 18.7M wool which was sired by Gunallo 170257 - a brother to the $60,000 ram bought by SWS at the 2018 Classings Classic sale.
Other volume buyers included Netalie Station, Wilcannia, NSW, and L&D Herbig, Mount Barker, with six rams each, IP,RW&DD Paech, Murray Bridge, with five, and Colrae Farms, Callington, and Willson River Trading, Kangaroo Island, with four each.
Stud principal Judy Paech said the line-up was very even, averaging 18M and 103kg across the offering.
"We continue to strive for a fertile, wool and meat sheep with 18.5M fleece," she said.
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