A “favourite” ram has led the charge, making the top price at a Karawatha Park sale, where the average price jumped $353 with full clearance of 112 rams at Buckleboo.
A twin ram, which weighed 104 kilograms, with a 17.5 fibre diameter, 2.5 standard deviation, 14.4 per cent coefficient of variation and 100 per cent comfort factor, sold for $5200, to regular clients Kym Allen & Co, Kelly, via Kimba.
The ram also record 166 on the dual-purpose plus index and 157.3 of the Merino Production plus index, with a 7.6kg yearling weight and 14.2pc yearling clean fleece weight.
Symon Allen said the ram appealed for its dual-purpose attributes.
“The fact it has got such a low micron with big numbers in the DP+ and MP+, we really liked that,” he said.
“It has beautiful white wool, with a long staple and a big frame.”
Symon said they would class out their ewes and join their best rams with the primo ewes.
The Allens bought five rams in total, averaging $3400.
“We’ve increased our ewe numbers this year by 300 and next year we’ll increased them by 500 so we needed to buy more rams,” he said.
They also shifted to six-monthly shearing about three years ago, making staple length important when selecting rams.
“We’re pushing the boundaries of how much wool we can grow,” he said.
Karawatha Park co-principal Dion Woolford said the ram was a “favourite” among this year’s offering.
“It is a well-figured animal with style to match,” he said.
Mr Woolford said he was overwhelmed with the support in the sale, with the shed almost full.
“I think its a testament to the price of meat and wool at the moment,” he said.
There was an additional 20 rams on offer in this year’s catalogue, and Mr Woolford said he had not expected the jump in average as a result.
He was also excited about the drop of rams that will be on offer next year.
“We’ve done a lot more with the pedigree and our genetic gains should keep ticking along nicely,” he said.
Selecting a good line at the top end of the catalogue was TJ&DL Larwood, Kimba, who bought four rams to $4800, averaging
Among the volume buyers was River Park Farmin, Crystal Brook, who bought six rams to $3800, averaging $2633, while Hillsea Station, Sheringa, bought six rams to$2200, averaging $1233.
Rayson Ag Trust, Kimba, bought five rams to $4000, averaging $3000, and Woolford Bros, Kimba, bought five rams to $3800, averaging $2520.
The sale was conducted by Landmark with Gordon Wood as auctioneer.
Article credit: Stock Journal