A RECORD top price didn't deter long-time highest bidders at the 16th annual Mallee Hill Poll Merino and Merino ram sale, Ceduna.
Les Hull, operating at LA&VA Hull, Elliston, took home the top price ram at the sale for the fourth consecutive year at a new high for the stud of $5800.
The ram was 121.5kg growing a fleece measuring 19.9 micron with a 13.6 coefficient of variation, 2.7 standard deviation and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.
Mallee Hill principal Warren Beattie described the record lot as a "well covered ram with rich white stylish wool".
It was a grandson of Collandra North sire 'Big Jim', which Mallee Hill purchased in partnership for $25,000.
Overall, Mr Beattie sold 97 rams from 100 offered, averaging $1384 - a $363 increase on the 2020 sale.
The ram sale team, all April 2020-drops, had an average micron of 20.5 and comfort factor of 99.3 per cent.
RELATED READING: Interstate bidders buoy Lawral Park SAMM sale
RELATED READING: Return buyers facilitate total Ridgway clearance
Volume buyers were local customers Jevalara, who took home seven rams to $1600.
Mr Beattie said four new clients purchased rams, from Minippa, Wirrulla, Elliston and Ceduna, with 24 successful bidders on the day.
Quality Wool's Simon Seppelt said confidence in both the coming season and the Mallee Hill sheep helped lift the average more than $300.
"The confidence going forward for wool and sheepmeat production was clear at the Mallee Hill sale and it was evident with local EP (Eyre Peninsula) buyers having to up their sights on what they've paid in the past, given both the lift in confidence in the industry and good seasonal conditions on the far west coast and upper EP," he said.
"Mallee Hill have worked really hard on lifting their profile, they've been very active at field days and online, and the results of the sheep are speaking for themselves as well.
"Warren and Erica (Beattie) are spending considerable investment dollars in sheep that are the right type for their region where conditions can be quite tough, and they are really nailing that brief."
The sale was conducted by Quality Livestock and Quality Wool under local agent Lawrence Seal, with David Whittenbury and Simon Seppelt at the rostrum.
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
