A TOP PRICE of $4400 for a sought-after Dohne was one of the highlights of Babirra's 59th Poll Merino and 19th Dohne annual auction at Stansbury on Tuesday.
Stud principals Lynda and Craig Farrow were pleased with the Dohne component of the auction, where 35 of 48 rams sold to a $1486 average, while things were a shade tougher on the Poll Merinos with 17 of 30 selling to an $1800 top and $1080 average.
"The Dohnes went really well considering it has been a tough year in most places really, with not much rain," Ms Farrow said.
"The Merinos were a bit tougher, but I was still pleased with the overall result of the sale.
"We're thankful for our clients that come from near and far, and hope they get on well with their purchases."
The top priced Dohne ram was bought by phone buyer Brendan Ebsary, Barunga Gap, for $4400, a $600 rise on last year's biggest purchase.
Mr Farrow said Mr Ebsary had been impressed by the ram during an inspection last week.
It had a Dohne index of 156.1, weighed in at 96 kilograms, with a fat depth of 4 millimetres, eye muscle depth of 40mm and a fleece measuring 18.3 micron, 2.9 standard deviation, 15.8 coefficient of variation and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.
Volume buyers on the Dohnes included DS,PD&SS Agnew, Minlaton, who bought six rams to $3200, averaging $1667, and Holland Park Nominees, Minlaton, which secured four to $1600, averaging $1050.
Taking three rams to $2800, averaging $1733, was BG&J Hayes, Mannum, while Berevon Trading, through Wardle & Co Minlaton, bought three to $2200, averaging $1800.
Twartz Producers, Yorketown, picked up three rams to $1200, averaging $1000, while NR Parsons, Kelly, bought three all for $800.
After the Dohnes, two Poll Merinos reached the top price of $1800, with one going to Graham and Scott Cook, GD&JA Cook, Minlaton, and the other to Paul Preuss, Yorketown.
The Cooks bought three rams in total, averaging $1333, while Mr Preuss bought three Poll Merinos in total, averaging $1400.
Graham said the family had sheep near Warooka and at Minlaton - a 900 head commercial Merino breeding flock - and the Babirra ram wool traits suited their lighter country.
The sire weighed 105kg with figures of 21.3 for micron, 3.6SD, 16.9CV, 99.3CF, 5mm fat depth and 35.5mm EMD.
"We've got a lot of sandy country and it suits us to have a bit of greasiness in the wool," he said.
"It's a nice sized sheep with not a lot of body wrinkle and will suit our style of country."
Mr Preuss, who has a 2000 head self-replacing Poll Merino flock, was impressed by his pick's wool quality and style, as well as its length.
It weighed 110.5kg, with a 18.5 micron fleece, 2.9SD, 15.7CV, 99.7CF, 5mm fat depth and 35mm EMD.
The volume buyer on the Poll Merino portion of the sale was Wahroonga Wood, taking five rams to $1200 twice, averaging $1000.
Elders Minlaton conducted the sale, with Tom Penna the auctioneer.
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