BORUNG stud principal Brenton Kroehn was very "overwhelmed" after nearly doubling his Poll Merino ram sale average at Waikerie on Wednesday.
A total clearance of 59 April/May 2020-drop rams was also achieved, while all 12 rams also sold in a mini auction after the main sale from $700 to $1000.
The sale average of $2182 was nearly double the 2020 result of $1200, while the sale's top price of $6250 also set a new benchmark in the stud's 45-year sale history.
Repeat clients CA Hampel & Partners, Nadda, bought the top price ram at lot 5 - a Wallaloo Park 150992 son, which Mr Kroehn said he bought for $9500 at the stud's on-property sale in 2016.
Brian Hampel said the 131.5-kilogram ram was a "standout" as their sole purchase for the day.
"We look for that big framed, strong boned, solid ram with good wool coverage and quality - and this ram just ticked all those boxes," he said.
It had a 19.4-micron fleece measuring 2.5 standard deviation, 12.9 coefficient of variation, 100 per cent comfort factor and had a greasy fleece weight percentage of 117.1.
It also had a 7mm fat depth and 45mm eye muscle depth.
Last year's top price ram buyers Kym and Michelle Thiele, Pompoota, bought the sale's second and third-highest price rams at $3600 and $3400.
They bought four in total averaging $2800.
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The $3600 ram, sired by Gunallo 180250, weighed 113kg, had a 123.3GFW, 5mm fat depth and 34EMD.
It also had a 16.9M fleece measuring 2.4SD, 14.3CV and 100CF.
The sale's biggest volume buyer was DA&BD Nutt, Orroroo, who bought nine rams averaging $2411.
Buying four rams each were GK&SJ Hoffmann, Pata, averaging $2550; Daniel Schuppan, Jamestown, averaging $2350; and Yurgo Farm, Karoonda, averaging $1650.
Mr Kroehn said it was wonderful to see many new faces buying among the large crowd.
This included another volume buyer, Humphris Family Trust, Gladstone, who bought seven averaging $1743.
The sale was also interfaced with AuctionsPlus for the first time because of COVID border restrictions, with the Young family from Dogwood Farms, Kaniva, Vic, buying two through the platform at $3000 and $2200.
Mr Kroehn said he was "absolutely delighted" with the sale result, particularly after a strong social media campaign and recent attendance at the Jamestown
"We have really worked hard on our exposure this year, and our stock agents have worked really hard to expose us to new clients," he said.
The sale was conducted by Elders and Quality Livestock, with Elders stud stock's Tony Wetherall the auctioneer.
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