CALLOWIE Poll Merino stud held its on-property ram auction at Bordertown on Monday, selling to a top of $4600.
The top price ram was catalogued at lot 2, sold to repeat buyers MN&LF Sambell, Goroke, Vic.
It had a body weight of 107 kilograms when weighed a few weeks ago and wool tests of 19.1 micron, 2.9 standard deviation, 15.2 co-efficient of variation and 99.4 per cent comfort factor.
It also had ASBV figures of 12.1 yearling clean fleece weight, 6.12 yearling weight, -0.01 yearling fat, -0.18 yearling eye muscle depth, Dual Purpose Plus index of 141 and Merino Production Plus index of 143.
The Callowie stud will retain semen in this sire to use within flock.
Callowie stud principal Richard Halliday described the sale-topper as being a "very well put together and balanced ram with overall character".
"It carries a rich, long, stylish medium wool with good make and shape," he said.
The second-highest price ram at lot 1 sold for $3000 to repeat buyer Ben Dunstall from Cove Station, who said he selected for "large frame, bright white wool, length of staple and constitution".
They mate 2400 ewes on properties either side of the border and were operating with Stuart Kyle, Westech Ag, Kaniva, Vic, taking home nine rams averaging $1511.
Their top ram weighed 104kg and had wool tests of 20.4M, 2.9SD, 13.4CV and 99.4pc CF and ASBVs of 14.2YCFW, 6.69YWT, -0.01YFAT, 1.29YEMD, 151DP+ and 143MP+.
Volume buyers included Cactus Creek, Orroroo, who bought six rams to $1200, averaging $966, and repeat buyer BM&BC Bridgart, Wynarka, with four rams to $2400, averaging $1350.
Bruce Bridgart said he selected well-structured rams to suit his drier Mallee farming country, featuring traits of well-nourished wool with a blocky tip to keep dirt and sand out and good wool coverage over their head.
"The Callowie rams are very good value, which keeps me coming back," he said.
Mr Halliday said the offering represented "our breeding objectives for bulky heavy woolcutters with bolder 58s-type wools with make and shape".
"It was pleasing for regular buyers to get good value for money," he said.
Nutrien auctioneer Richard Miller said "it was a very good line-up of rams noted for large frame, big carcase with heavy wool cutting ability", but COVID-19 had restricted some of the stud's Vic clients.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions at Bordertown.
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