Hunter bloodlines again popular at Sherlock ram sale

The number of rams sold and sale average was almost the exact same as the 2020 sale result, with strong repeat Sherlock clients appreciating the consistent rams offered with exceptional white wools.

Overall, 77 rams sold from the 100 offered, peaking at $5600 twice and averaging $2004 - only a $3 dip on the 2020 sale result.

Bloodlines of homebred sire Hunter, who was the 2017 Royal Adelaide Show supreme exhibit, again dominated the catalogue, including the four top price rams of the sale.

Sherlock principal Wes Titley was very proud of his Hunter sons and grandsons, 29 of which made up the 100 rams offered.

"They are showing excellent wool quality and quantity with barrel shape," he said.

Lot 13 was the first Hunter son to be knocked down for $5600 to repeat buyer Dean Helyar, Drualat Bore Pastoral.

It weighed 101 kilograms, and had an eye muscle depth of 43 millimetres and 7mm fat depth.

Its 18.4-micron fleece also measured 3.1 standard deviation, 16.8 co-efficient of variation and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.

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Drualat Bore Pastoral with the assistance of Geoff Clark, Platinum Wool, bought eight rams in total (five Hunter sons) at the top end of the catalogue, to average $3425.

This included the sale's second-highest price of $5400 at lot 7 - another Hunter son.

"We were after good, even types of well-structured rams with stylish, white wools and good wool type," Mr Clark said.

The equal top price ram at lot 28 was bought by first time Sherlock client Josh Porker, Karoonda, who liked its "big round barrel".

It weighed 103kg, and had 42EMD and 7mm fat depth, while its 18M had 3.2SD, 18CV and 99.8CF.

Josh has been the wool classer for Sherlock for two years and worked in the shed for five years.

He aims to breed sheep with bright white wool with good crimp definition.

"What impresses me with the Sherlock sheep is at shearing, an eight or nine-year-old ewe still has wool that looks like a one-year-old with even crimp," he said.

Josh bought a second ram for $4400.

How the Sherlock sheep perform in the shearing shed also appealed to Sherlock shearer Nathan Docking, Karoonda, who bought two rams.

Volume repeat buyer Bruce Agars, Lockswell Pastoral, Port Lincoln, bought 13 rams to $3200, averaging $1954.

"I was selecting for a plainer body as we have been non mulesing for five years," Mr Agars said.

"Sherlock rams breed a very even type with white stylish even wools."

Another repeat volume buyer was Simon and Eloise Wheaton, Redbanks, American River, Kangaroo Island, who bought six rams to $3000, averaging $2300.

"We have been buying Sherlock rams for about eight years, selecting for less than 19M bright white wool and a decent body," Mr Wheaton said.

"The meat job is very good at the moment and they are getting very good returns for cast-for-age ewes."

Other volume buyers were GL Lutz & FL Northey, who bought seven rams to $2400, averaging $1200; BE Launer, Murray Bridge, who bought six rams to $3200, averaging $1983; Bates Holdings, Pennshaw, KI, who bought six rams to $1800, averaging $1383; and KJ&J Hand, Ki Ki, who bought six rams at $800 each.

Elders Murray Bridge were the duty agents.