THE outstanding wool quality and growth for age of an August-drop Poll Merino ram resulted in Collandra North setting a new on-property record of $21,000 at Tumby Bay on Wednesday afternoon.
The record purchase by Rodwells Chris Vordermaier, bidding on behalf of Andrew and Vivienne Lawrence, Burtundy Station, Ivanhoe, NSW, was just one of many highlights at Collandra North's 42nd annual auction.
Two of their April/May 2020-drop rams reached $12,000 in a sale rejuvenated by improved seasonal conditions.
In the breakdown, all 125 rams found new homes to an average of $2591, with the 16 August-drop rams averaging $4072.
Collandra North principal Sydney Lawrie was rapt with the result and thrilled to receive "great support from both long-term and new clients".
The excellent average was a $537 increase on 2020 and the clearance rate was well up, with Mr Lawrie putting it down to a change in seasonal fortunes for many of his buyers.
"Last year turned out to be alright season-wise but at the time of the sale it was looking tough in some areas," he said.
"It has been really positive to see people bounce back and support us."
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The Lawrence's were among those supporters, buying three rams in total, averaging $11,167, and a number of stud ewes after the sale.
Their $21,000 showpiece purchase, a son of Collandra North 002, weighed a whopping 127 kilograms, carried a 22 micron fleece, with a 3.1 standard deviation, 14.1 coefficient of variation and 99.1 per cent comfort factor.
Parting its fleece, Mr Vordermaier said the ram's "beautiful, long, bright and white wool" was the attraction for the Lawrence's who also breed their own rams on Burtundy.
Mr Lawrie said the ram's size and presence was outstanding at only 12 months old, while he also rated its well-nourished wool and good bone and structure.
Also with plenty of presence were two of the April/May-drop rams that reached $12,000, selling to Kartoona Pastoral, Minnipa, and Calca Pastoral, Streaky Bay.
Cartoona's buy weighed 118kg with a 19.6 micron fleece, 2.4 SD, 12.2 CV and 99.9pc CF, while Calca's new ram tipped the scales at 114kg, with a 21 micron fleece, 3.4 SD, 16.2 CV and 99.3pc CF.
There was strong competition on the entire offering, with buyers from across the Peninsula, into SA pastoral country and interstate bidding.
Streaky Bay-based Piltra Holdings was the volume purchaser, taking 13 rams to $2600, averaging $1838.
Buying ten rams were SJ McKeough, Dawson, to $2800, averaging $2100, and Blackoak Ridge, Smoky Bay, to $2400 twice, averaging $1900.
Z&K Harris, Ivanhoe, NSW, secured nine rams to $3600 twice, averaging $2122, while KW&BM Mozol, Ceduna, bought six to $3400, averaging $2867.
Both buying five rams were Karinya Farm Trust, Kimba, to $2800, averaging $2240, and NA&AM Maddern, Yeelanna, to $5600, averaging $2440, with a further five clients buying four rams apiece.
Elders conducted the sale, with Tony Wetherall the auctioneer.
"To line up 125 rams with depth of quality right through is a credit to Collandra North," Mr Wetherall said.
"They've got terrific size and growth for age, and are really productive in both wool production and carcase traits."
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