A late inclusion into Ashrose Poll Merino stud's on-property sale at Mundulla on Thursday made his presence felt with the $6400 sale high.
The Orrie Cowie Casper son, possessing great well-crimped stud wool, was initially reserved for next month's Adelaide Merino ram sale but with the stud's other lot withdrawn from the multi-vendor sale, stud principal Tim Graetz decided to slot the 19.0 micron ram in at lot 1A.
It was the second year in a row that the stud's sale topper was sired by Orrie Cowie Casper.
Casper was bought in 2018 as a three year old and has had a big impact on Ashrose's flock.
Weighing 112 kilograms the sale topping ram's wool tests included a standard deviation of 2.8, coefficient of variation of 14.7 and comfort factor of 99.9pc.
The successful buyer of the ram which had an eye muscle of 46mm was Senior Park Pty Ltd, Senior, with Spence Dix & Co's Kym Lovelock, Bordertown, doing the bidding.
"He was the ram that had the most attributes we were looking for and we have looked at plenty, it was a chance to introduce some new genetics into the stud to breed their rams," Mr Lovelock said.
"Nathan (Daniel) was after a sheep with good soft stylish wool with plenty of frame and bulk about it and good bone which he had."
Overall 61 of 86 rams averaged $2118, up $221 on 2020's sale.
Lot 14, the ram with the highest eye muscle depth at 48mm, made the $4400 second highest price.
The 101kg ram sold to Buick & Campbell, Kangaroo Island, among their four buys.
The first 17 rams in the sale, which had been shed prepared, drew strong competition with 16 of these averaging $3019.
But there was also tremendous value for money, particularly in the second half of the catalogue of paddock run rams as the 16 buyers filled their orders with 22 rams making $800-$1000.
Two repeat volume buyers left their mark on the sale each putting together a double digit tally of new sires.
Delro-Alaman, Woolumbool, took home 14 rams, paying to $4000 twice and averaging $1929 for them.
Nutrien Bordertown agent Jack Guy did the phone bidding for TO, LE&MD Miller, Nhill, Vic, who were unable to attend the sale for the second year in a row.
The Millers secured 11 rams for a $1928 average, paying to $2800.
Elders auctioneer Laryn Gogel said the line-up was becoming more consistent each year and this was definitely their most even offering.
"We knew we were going to have a bit of a struggle here today with a couple of volume buyers not present, ultimately they will probably act after the event," he said.
"Bidding on the top end reflected the quality but if you want a good genuine article straight out of the paddock you will find them here at Ashrose."
Mr Graetz said they knew that a few of their clients would be missing due to circumstances such as border restrictions, but he said it was pleasing to have such a great average but also ensure everyone secured great value rams.
Nutrien and Elders were joint selling agents.
ASHROSE STUD TO BE DISPERSED AS A WHOLE
ON the rostrum after the sale, Ashrose stud principal Tim Graetz surprised many in the crowd when he announced they were selling the stud due to a "restructure of the family business".
But, he said they were committed to selling it as a "complete package" rather than splitting up the flock to ensure their clients could continue their Ashrose bloodlines.
"It is sad to close the book on this chapter and I can tell you it has been a head decision not a heart decision," Mr Graetz said.
The Graetz family bought the stud in late 2012 from Swiss Australia Farm Holding- when they bought Glenstrae at Willalooka. Glenstrae had run the stud for about five years prior to that.
In the time the Graetz family have been at the helm of the stud they have grown it to sell about 200 rams annually into high rainfall and pastoral areas.
Mr Graetz said their aim had been to breed "modern" dual purpose sheep with good wool cut and carcase quality.
"A big part of the industry is meat and we have really aimed to that, we have good bodies and good structure on them," he said.
Elders will be marketing the stud package with an open day on October 1 and expressions of interest closing on October 15.
The offering includes 1450 sheep (including 850 breeding ewes plus ram lambs and ewe lambs) as well as stud sires, nearly 3000 doses of semen and the Ashrose stud prefix which was first registered in 1910.
"It wil be business as usual until we are able to find a suitable purchaser, next year's rams are in the paddock and ready to go," Mr Graetz said.
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