A ram described as an "impressive stud sire" and "modern dual-purpose sheep" by auctioneer Leo Redden, captured plenty of spirited bidding at the Rices Creek Mid North Poll Merino ram sale at Saddleworth on Tuesday.
The price was quickly pushed up by at least four vigorous bidders before lot 2 was nabbed by Truro stud Sharlu Park at $10,000.
The 134 kilogram ram, a grandson of Collinsville Imperial 20, had a 47.4 millimetre eye muscle depth and fat depth of 9.5mm.
It also had a yearling greasy fleece weight of 125 per cent, compared to the rest of the drop, with a 20.7 micron fleece, 3.1 standard deviation, 15 coefficient of variation and 99.5pc comfort factor.
Sharlu Park also paid the top price at the 2019 Rices Creek Saddleworth sale for another Imperial 20 grandson.
Overall, the sale had full clearance of the 132 rams offered, averaging $2375, with strong bidding from the 43 registered buyers..
Shortly after the excitement of lot 2, bidding again lifted on lot 9, another Imperial 20 grandson, bred from RC2050, weighing !20kg with 46EMD, 8.3mm fat, 21.8M, 3.5DS, 15.6CV and 99.5CF.
The ram was sold, via phone bidding, to Brimanna stud, Cummings, for $7400.
This was the fourth stud sire sold by Rices Creek this year across its Saddleworth and Tintinara on-property auctions.
Rices Creek co-principal James Vandeluer said both rams had been considered "standouts" among the offering, with the stud interest pleasing.
He said the Vandeleur family were "really happy" with the sale results, particularly with some concerns about the wool market at the moment.
"We think our sheep are really dual-purpose sheep and there was still good demand," he said.
"The rams have shown really good growth, right from lambs and the past few years we have been breeding more long-stapled, white wools that seem to be improving every year."
Mr Vandeluer said while the sale highs were great, he was also pleased to see there was still "good value" for clients with a number available in the $800 to $1000 bracket.
The sale's volume buyer was repeat client Walmona Pastoral, Truro, which was bidding throughout to catalogue to pick up 21 rams to $3000, averaging $1795.
Ryelands Partners, Tarlee, bought eight rams to 2400, averaging $1825.
GR&CE Finlay, Quorn, picked up six rams to $2600, averaging $2167, while Francis Capowie, Quorn, bought five rams to $2000, averaging $1600.
Dunira Prime Lamb, Manoora, bid throughout the catalogue, ending up with five rams to $4400, averaging $3640.
Nutrien Ag Solution stud stock's Mr Redden said the stud had experienced "exponential progression", which showed in the very strong competition on the top 10 sheep among stud buyers.
"There is overall consistency of type and a great balance of both wool cut and carcase traits," he said.
Quality Livestock auctioneer David Whittenbury said the lineup of rams impressed with the fibre and phenotype matching for an "all-round commercial ram".
"There was solid competition from lot one to lot 132, while the great depth of catalogue can be seen by numerous above average prices late in the offering," he said.
"The top price ram exhibited all the traits Rices Creek has built its reputation on and is a credit to the vendor and purchasers."
The sale was conducted by Nutrien Ag Solutions and Quality Livestock.
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Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
