FOUR new buyers and big spread of loyal clients ensured Roemahkita Poll Merino stud at Cummins had the benchmark sale for the first week of SA's Merino on-property sale season.
Although the Eyre Peninsula stud's average was back more than $300 on last year's stud record, stud principals Joe and Tracey Dahlitz were thrilled to sell 105 of 108 rams for an impressive $2628 average on Tuesday last week.
The $7500 sale topper- lot 12- was a 19.8 micron ram with an exceptionally long staple, 90mm from just five months growth.
R210506's other fleece measurements included a standard deviation of 2.7, coefficient of variation of 13.8 per cent and comfort factor of 99.8pc, along with an eye muscle depth of 42.5mm.
The sale topper also easily ranked in the top 5 per cent of 2021 drop rams on MERINOSELECT for yearling clean fleece weight.
It was among the first progeny of Kamora Park 190276- a ram which Roemahkita bought at the Mallee stud's annual on-property sale in 2020.
CD Watson & Co, Tooligie, were the successful buyers of the sale topper.
Two lots earlier Whim Park, Wilmington, outlaid $7000 for a 19.8M ram also sired by KP190276. Whim Park bought one of the $10,000 equal top priced rams at the 2021 sale.
The second offering of sons of $100,000 ram- Glenlea Park 180173 'Smithy'- also sold well including lot 2, which had been half of Roemahkita's winning Ram Lambs from the Elders Stud Merino Expo held in Burra in March.
The 19.5 ram with a 44.1mm EMD made $6600.
As a tribute to one of their most loyal clients Chris Watson, who passed away on Christmas Day last year, the Dahlitz family donated half of the proceeds in lot 17 to the Cummins Hospital Auxiliary.
Both Chris and Joe had proudly worn the number 17 footy guernseys.
The charity ram was knocked down for $3000 to new buyer Mt Charlet, Spalding, one of its 13 buys for a $2220 average.
Volume orders kept the bids coming until the end with LS&JM Newton Trust, Elliston, securing 14 rams for a $2060 average and Baines Brothers, Cummins, putting together nine rams for a $2860 average.
Mr Dahlitz described it as a "very strong" sale and was pleased to have a near total clearance.
"We didn't have the high prices we had last year but that was one out of the box with two rams at $10,000, one at $9000 and one at $8500, " he said.
"This year there were a lot in the $6000-$7000 range but no one to push it further."
Mr Dahlitz said it was tremendous to see much of the Eyre Peninsula having a great season.
"Further north and west of hearing is starting to need a rain but if the (Eyre) Peninsula can get a good drink in the next week there will be a lot of grain around," he said.
"Most guys unless they have come through a drought and cut their numbers back buy similar numbers every year but if they are having a good season it gives them the confidence to spend a bit more money."
Nutrien stud stock manager Gordon Wood said the Roemahkita offering were sheep "that ticked a lot of boxes" for Merino breeders.
"They are that dual-purpose wool and meat (sheep) that suits a lot of people's needs with good frame and carcase and the ASBVs that many people are looking for," he said.
Roemahkita has reserved three 'Smithy' sons for the Adelaide Merino ram sale on September 9.
Elders and Nutrien were joint selling agents with Tony Wetherall and Gordon Wood the auctioneers.
