NANTOURA marked its 13th annual ram sale at Wharminda with a record top price and increased average while selling 89 Poll Merinos out of the 92 offered.
New clients PG&LM Masters snapped up lot 2 sold for $7600, while the average lifted on the increased offering by $119 to $2187.
The April-drop twin ram, a Terrick West 170406 son, had fleece measurements of 18.7 micron, 13.2 coefficient of variation, 2.9 standard deviation and a 107 per cent greasy fleece weight.
The ram also sported Australian Sheep Breeding Values of 22.4 yearling clean fleece weight, -0.7 yearling fibre diameter, 18.7 yearling staple length, 8.3 yearling weight, 0.2 yearling eye muscle depth and a Dual Purpose Plus index of 158.
The Nantoura stud has collected semen from the ram to use in their breeding program.
"It's the type of ram we have been looking for," Scott Masters said.
"We are shearing every six months so want the extra staple length but also want fleece weight and growth in our lambs, he had it all."
Mr Masters purchased another three rams to average $3600.
The sale continued in a positive note with lot 5 being knocked down for $4600 to Bill Walker, Classings Limited, on behalf Borung Poll Merino stud.
This price was also matched for lot 7 as part of a five-ram team purchased by returning clients John and Christopher Sampson, Kimba averaging $2420.
ER&BR Millard purchased six rams, including lot 20 for $2000.
The proceeds from lot 20 were donated to the Tumby Bay Hospital and Uringa auxiliary.
"Mum has spent the past 5- 6 weeks in hospital recovering from a fall and we decided it would be good to give back to those that are helping us," stud principal Chris Prime said.
"We decided on lot 20 for Mum - 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. You do not understand the effort these groups put in until you require their help. We are very gratefully for the efforts of Hospital staff."
Volume buyers of the sale were SJ&RJ Agars, Tungatta Station, Sheringa, who picked up 16 to $3400, averaging $2125.
Long-time clients Pfitzner Farming purchased 7 to $2500 averaging $2155.
Bengor Props, Melrose also picked up 7 to $2500 averaging $1460.
"We are extremely happy with the sale we increased our numbers, but still sold most of them," Mr Prime said.
"We decided two years ago to build our ram numbers and improve the depth and quality in our sale team and today that has paid off. There were opportunities for buyers in all price ranges."
The sale was run by Eyre Peninsula Livestock.
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