IT was a "faultless" ram that struck the attention of onlookers early in Gunallo Poll Merino and Merino Stud's on-property sale at Pinnaroo last week, with a tussle between buyers helping the stud to its new on-property top price record of $8800.
The stud sold to $8800 after clearing 99 of the 1110 rams offered, resulting in a $2241 sale average.
But it was a son of Gun 460, 'Sir Cumference', weighing 116 kilograms that made the $8800 sale top price after it was snapped up by fierce bidder, McPiggery's Duane Simon, Lameroo.
Gunallo 190025 had a 19.2 micron fleece with a 13 coefficient of variation, 2.5 standard deviation and a 99.8 per cent comfort factor, and ranked 165 on the Merino Production Plus Index.
Stud principal Ray Schroeder said Gun 460 sons were proven performers in the stud and it carried a deep crimped, pearly white wool.
After a burst of bids started the sale, Gunallo 190634, the $7400 second-highest price ram was secured by studmaster Stuart Everett, Lone Gum Poll Merinos, Crystal Brook.
Sired by Gunallo 170331, another Gun 460 son, weighed 114kg. Its fleece measurements were 18.4M, 2.5SD, 13.6CV and a 99.6pc CF.
Its Australian Sheep Breeding Values recorded 8.3 for yearling weight and 0 fpr yearling eye muscle depth and ranked 158 MP+.
McPiggery's Duane Simon, Lameroo, secured the "structurally faultless" $8800 ram.
Mr Simon runs 4000 Merino ewes and said it would be used in the self-replacing ram operation.
"Gunallo's consistent wool type is what we are looking for," he said.
The competition for quality rams remained vigorous, with Blairgowie Trust, Willaura North, Vic, buying 17 rams that sold to $3000, averaging $1729.
Longtrail Farms, Parilla, helped the bids keep flowing with their haul of 13 rams to $4400, $2138, while Craig Smith, Yanac, Vic, bought seven to $1400, averaging $1029 and Glencoe Station, Hattah, Vic, six to $1500 , averaging $1367.
Nutrien Ag Solutions stud stock's Richard Miller said it was an "outstanding" sale that showcased the pinnacle of what Gunallo wanted to achieve.
"It had a power of wool with exceptional figures across the board," he said.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions Pinnaroo with Richard Miller and Gordon Wood as the auctioneers.
RELATED READING: Gunallo gun to on-property record
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