Glenville Merino and Poll Merino stud ram sale achieves full clearance

A total of 160 from 160 rams were sold on the day to an average of $2787, with stud and commercial clients creating strong competition in the barn.

Following the main sale, 12 rams from 29 offered were sold in a mini auction, with a top of $1100 and an average of $833.

Sold at Lot 5, the main sale's top price ram was sired by Gunallo 200999 and sold to Maramville Poll Merino, Ceduna.

The ram had a micron score of 18.5, with 3.6 standard deviation, a 19.5 coefficient of variation and a comfort factor of 99.2.

Maramville stud principal Mark Hoffrichter said he had seen photos of the ram and had heard good reports from others who had inspected it, but he had not seen it for himself.

"The crimpy, sirey wool on the ram and the nice nourishment was what I was interested in and I could see he had what I was after in photos," he said.

"The wool test figures were good but the type of wool the sheep had on its back was what made him the pick for me.

"We purchased the top price ram last year as well and they're pretty similar types, so the pair will go ut together within the stud in November."

Nutrien auctioneer Gordon Wood said he had spoken to Mr Hoffrichter about the top price ram prior to the sale and put him forth as a stand out.

"There's a really well nourished surface on that ram, he's very hard to knock and it's hard to pick holes in him," he said.

"He's a really robust, early maturing type of sheep with a heap of lustrous fibre on him is really structurally correct."

The volume buyer on the day was Smith Partners, Belton, through Nutrien Orroroo, who purchased 13 at auction to an average of $1430 and a top of $2000 in addition to seven in the mini auction to an average of $714 and a top of $800.

Nutrien Orroroo's John Sheehan said the line up of rams at this year's sale was impressive, with better condition than expected.

"We're really happy with the line up this year and with the 20 rams we purchased," he said.

"Smith Partners are on a June/July drop lambing and they're marking lambs at present and running at around 100pc, so they're doing pretty well.

"The country they're in is sort of pastoral and it's pretty tough but the Glenville sheep stand up well, so that's why we keep coming back."

Glenville stud principal Daryl Smith said he was amazed with the sale result.

"Conditions here are a little bit tight, we need a good rain and the sheep and wool markets are not at their best at the minute, but we still had such strong support so we're over the moon," he said.

"We had a lot of return clients but also quite a few new guys buying this year with a mix of stud and commercial.

"Our biggest hope is the genetics we're breeding keep breeding on and that seems to be the case because they keep coming back so we're really pleased."

Elders auctioneer Tony Wetherall said the sale was well supported by local buyers in addition to buyers from further across SA and interstate.

"Glenville are known for their really good wools and doing ability in a range of areas where these they show they do perform and survive and thrive in very varied environments," he said.

There were a total of 46 registered bidders on the day, in addition to action from AuctionsPlus, with six rams selling through the online platform.

Mr Wood and Mr Wetherall shared auctioneering duties with Nutrien the duty agents.