Stylish, heavy-cutting wool appealed to buyers at Sharlu Park Poll Merino and Merino studs' fifth annual ram sale at Frankton on Wednesday.
Greenfields and Rices Creek bloodlines attracted particularly strong demand in the Merino and Poll Merino sections, respectively.
Of 66 rams offered, 43 sold to $5600, averaging $1581.
The April/May 2020-drop rams averaged 103.8 kilograms, with 20.2 micron wool.
This year's sale had a $264 increase on last year's average, when a line-up of 60 rams was offered and 58 sold to $4000, averaging $1317.
The top price was made by lot 11, a horned ram with Rices Creek genetics, with a bodyweight of 115kg.
AJ Prior, Eudunda, secured the top price and second-highest price ram, with an impressive Merino for $5600 and Poll Merino at $3200.
The top price Merino had wool measurements of 19.3 micron, 3.6 standard deviation, 18.5 coefficient of variation, 99.6 per cent comfort factor and cut 5kg of wool when shorn on March 10.
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The $3200 Poll ram had a bodyweight of 99kg 20.0M wool, with 3.1SD, 15.5CV, 99.5CF and 5.5kg greasy fleece weight.
Sharlu Park stud principal Luke Saegenschnitter said the top ram was almost a stud reserve as he liked its wool and structure.
"He stands pretty well and towers above all the others," he said.
"A bit of a favourite."
The sale's volume buyer was AB&MC Tohl & Son, Jamestown, who bought five rams to $2000, averaging $1540.
RW Miller, Truro, took home four rams to $2400, averaging $1450.
Pastoral buyer Nundora Station secured three rams at $800.
Nutrien stud stock auctioneer Leo Redden said it was good to see Mr Saegenschnitter rewarded for breeding a good horned sheep.
"There is limited buyers for horned Merinos, so it was good to see a good sheep make value," he said.
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Pfitzner & Kleinig with Leo Redden as auctioneer.
Twelve rams sold privately shortly after the completion of the auction.
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Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
