Long-time Yorke Peninsula buyer takes home the top price Carriecowie ram

The two top price rams at the Carriecowie Poll Merino sale stayed on the Yorke Peninsula, knocked down to the same buyer.

It was the 30^th annual sale for the Brentwood stud.

Two rams made the top price of $2400 and both went to long-time client Jamie Murdoch, Levens Agriculture, Warooka.

Mr Murdoch said he kept buying Carriecowie rams for their size and the nourishment in their wool.

"We farm a lot of sandy country so we need that better nourishment in our wool," he said.

The first top price ram came at lot 7 and weighed 98 kilograms, had an eye muscle depth of 39.4 millimetres and 6.4 carcase fat.

It had 20.5-micron wool with 2.5 standard deviation, 12.2 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9 per cent comfort factor.

The second top price ram was offered at lot 26 and weighed 95kg, with fat score of 5.4 and 40.5 EMD. Its fleece was 17.5M, 3 SD, 17.3pc CV and 100pc CF.

Karoongi Pastoral, Minlaton, were the volume buyers across the main and mini auctions, buying seven rams at $1000.

Overall, Carriecowie sold 35 rams out of 50 offered in the main auction, for an average of $1240.

In the mini auction, four rams sold out of nine offered, all at $1000.

Carriecowie principal Bronte Blyth said he was pleased with the rams he put up, particularly considering how challenging the past two years had been season-wise on the Yorke Peninsula.

"I'm very happy with the type of sheep we're breeding and what we put up for sale," he said.

"Everyone was pleased with what they got and we've been getting good feedback from clients."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien, with Gordon Wood auctioneering.

Mr Wood said Carriecowie rams had plenty of length and loin, with dual purpose attributes that would help take their clients' flocks to the next level, along with very good cutting ability and nourishment.

"Carriecowie offered a really good lineup," he said.

"They're plain-bodied, easy-care type Poll Merinos."

Mr Wood said the sale was a buyer's market.

"Buyers have taken home rams at really good value that will do a great job for them, whatever the environment," he said.