THE Boughen family at Kamora Park were "extremely delighted" after their Poll Merino ram sale at Sandalwood on Friday, with concerns COVID restrictions would dampen interest.
Katelyn Boughen said they chose to interface the sale with AuctionsPlus for the first time this year for potential buyers who were unable to attend, particularly those from interstate.
It was a decision that paid off, with 37 rams selling online averaging $1789, including Langidoon Station, via Broken Hill, NSW, with nine averaging $745, and JA Dries, St George, Qld, with four averaging $3750.
Overall, the Boughens sold 185 April/May 2020-drop rams from 200 offered to $8400, averaging $2445 - a $94 increase on the 2020 sale result.
Another 29 rams sold from 37 offered in a mini auction after the main sale, at prices ranging from $700-$1000.
Ms Boughen said the sale set a new stud benchmark.
"We were extremely delighted with the clearance and best-ever top price," she said.
"Plus we sold another 13 by the end of Saturday."
The $8400 top price ram, a Willandra 447 son at lot 31, sold to the Harris family, Brimanna stud, Yeelanna.
It was the first sale the Boughens had offered Willandra 447 sons.
John Harris said he and son Jayden were drawn to that one Willandra 447 son for its "elite, rich, bold wool".
The 116.5-kilogram ram had an eye muscle depth of 38.3 millimetres and 5.6mm fat depth, which were taken at 10-11 months of age.
It also had a six months wool growth of 11.1kg, measuring 19.9 micron, 3.3 standard deviation, 16.4 co-efficient of variation and 99.1 per cent comfort factor.
It's the second ram Brimanna has bought from Kamora Park, previously paying $14,000 for KP461 at the 2018 Adelaide Ram Sale, also chasing wool quality.
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The sale's second-highest price of $6600 went at lot 80 paid by long-time client Ian Symonds, Whygee Pastoral, Karoonda, who said he "just liked the look" of the ram, especially its quality wool.
The Collinsville Imperial 20 son was an "all-rounder" Ms Boughen said they almost kept for themselves.
It weighed 121.5kg, with a 38.3EMD and 5.1mm fat depth, and also cut an incredible six months wool growth of 12.9kg, measuring 20.1M, 3.3SD, 16.4CV and 99.1CF.
Mr Symonds bought four rams in total, averaging $5200.
Duane Simon, McPiggery, Lameroo, bought the $6200 third-highest price ram at lot 51 - a Charinga Neil son weighing 108kg, with a 39.7EMD and 5.9mm fat depth.
Its six months wool growth was 9.5kg, measuring 19.2M, 2.4SD, 12.5CV and 100CF.
Also paying well were AWP Macallan, Red Creek, with four averaging $4100; SC Dinham & Co, Tailem Bend, with five averaging $3540; BT&E Ling, Kingston SE, with six averaging $3433; and Clover Downs, Corny Point, with three averaging $3333.
John and Paul Wegner, Karoonda, were again the biggest volume buyers, with 20 averaging $2620.
Other volume buyers included Marcollat Pastoral, Padthaway, with eight averaging $2713; KD Pastoral, Western Flat, with eight averaging $1025; and DR&MC Hoare, Wynarka, with six averaging $2067.
Malleeview Props, Mindarie, bought 18 from both the main and mini sale averaging $772.
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