Collandra North achieves strong result at annual Poll Merino ram auction
Rams reached an $8000 high at Collandra North's on-property auction at Tumby Bay last week.
Overall 114 from 120 rams went to new homes, selling to an average of $1717.
The average was down less than $200 from last year's sale.
Nutrien studstock auctioneer Gordon Wood said the first 10 rams in the auction were all possible sale-toppers, but it was lot 2 that made $8000.
"There were a lot of appealing sheep in the first 10 rams," he said.
"You could just about throw a blanket over them and be happy with any.
"But lot 2 was certainly stand out for me, just those dual-purpose traits, really good fibre, a hell of a carcase and overall a really good sheep."
Sold to the Turnbull family, Kapinnie, the ram had 19.9 micron, 2.4 standard deviation, 12.3pc coefficient of variation and 99.9 per cent comfort factor, as well as 8.9 for fat and 43.3 for eye muscle depth.
"His big square frame and carcase traits were definitely a stand out, but to also have such a quality wool really made him what we where after," Henry Turnbull said.
"We have been buying rams here for the past three years and we like that you get a well structured frame without a sacrifice on the wool - their lambs have also been fast growing and well doing, making it easier to reach market weight.
"(Lot 2) will be joined to some of our top ewes around mid-November."
Avondale Station, Broken Hill, NSW, were the volume buyers on the day, taking home 19 rams averaging $1200.
Collandra North stud principal Sydney Lawrie said the sale result was great given the current seasonal challenges.
He said the sale followed a fantastic run for the stud, having just picked up the grand champion March-shorn Merino ram at the recent Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo, Vic.
"We got reserve champion March-shorn last year," he said.
"Then to go one better this year was fantastic.
"We're keeping him in the stud and he's having semen collected in a couple of weeks, so that'll be available."
