Clients focused on fleece weight and structure at the recent Willandra on-property ram sale.
A top price of $6,500 was paid for a Poll Merino ram by James Turnbull from Tambo, Queensland.
This ram has figures of 20.3 micron, 99.1 C/F, BWT of 108 kg and an EMD of 43mm.
Mr Turnbull purchased another ram in the sale for $4,500 and, after the auction, selected a ram from the stud reserves for $12,500.
George Simpson of ‘Yooroobla’, Jerilderie paid the top price of $6,000 for a massive deep bodied horned ram.
It weighed 118kg with a fleece measurement of 17.4 microns, 99.6 C/F with an EMD of 40.5 mm.
The major volume buyer was Sleigh Pastoral Co of ‘Kooringal’, Jerilderie, purchasing 15 rams at an average of $2,033.
Rams went to all eastern states and South Australia, with 119 rams of the 121 penned averaging $2,386.
Prior to the commencement of the sale, Ross Wells spoke a few heartfelt words and asked for a minute’s silence to remember granddaughter-in-law Heidy Heath, who passed away six months ago.
Heidy was the wife of Angus and mother of two year-old Charlotte and three month-old Eliza at that time.
Mr Wells also paid tribute to the highly respected Elders agent Clyde McKenzie, who passed away in January this year, and legendary Australian Rules footballer Ron Barassi who passed not long before the auction.
Still remembered in the industry is the ram ‘Barassi’ that Willandra purchased from Pooginook for $19,500 back in 1981.
It was an on-property auction record at the time.