Strong buyer support at Greenfields and Greenfields Karalee annual sale

Greenfields and Greenfields Karalee held their combined on-property ram sale at Booborowie on Monday, with the Sullivan family pleased to see strong support from both return and new clients.

The sale achieved a $9000 top, with 93 of 96 rams sold to average $1848, up from last year's $1720.

The top price came at Lot 14, a Greenfields Merino ram secured for $9000 by long-time client Brenton Stratford, Secret Rocks Poll Merino and Merino stud, Tumby Bay.

By Moorundie 62-001, the ram cut a 21.4 micron fleece, 3 standard deviation, 14.2 per cent coefficient of variation, 99.5 comfort factor, with 131pc greasy fleece weight, weighed 122kg, and measured 8.2 fat and 40mm eye muscle depth.

Mr Stratford said the ram would suit his stud breeding program.

"It's got beautiful wool on it, great shape, stands well, with excellent coverage - it'll suit what we're doing down to the ground," he said.

He plans to join the ram to 60-70 stud ewes, continuing a decade-long association with Greenfields genetics.

Mr Stratford said he was looking forward to seeing Lot 14's progeny.

"We'll probably see some of his rams in the sale ring in a couple of years' time," he said.

The second highest price came early in the catalogue when Lot 1, a Greenfields Karalee ram, sold for $5000 to Yarrah Nominees, Ceduna.

By Collinsville Imperial 215121, it had an 18.5 micron fleece, 2.8SD, 15.2CV, 99.8pc CF, 114pc GFW) and weighed 125.5kg with 8 fat and 44.5 EMD.

Yarrah Nominees principal Anthony Burge said the ram stood out for his size and quality wool.

"He's a big-framed, good wool sheep with a good micron and we'll use him over our ewes to breed flock rams for our station country," he said.

The family was also a major volume buyer, taking 12 rams to average $2450.

Other strong buying support came from G&A Turner, Broken Hill, who bought 14 rams to $1221 av; South Gum Creek, Burra, took 14 to $1579 av; and Oulnina Nominees, Burra, bought 11 to $1173av.

Greenfields principal Robert Sullivan said the clearance and averages reflected renewed confidence in the sheep industry.

"Given the last couple of tough seasons, we were very pleased with today's result," he said.

"Our top ram drew strong interest - he had exceptional staple length, top stud-quality wool, and very good carcass traits, so he really was the best of both worlds."

Mr Sullivan said rams sold widely, from pastoral country through to Naracoorte and Wagga.

"It was pleasing to see that adaptability confirmed - our rams are holding up across a really diverse client base," he said.

He also praised the loyalty of buyers such as Secret Rocks and Yarrah Nominees.

"They've been very good supporters of ours, and it's rewarding to see our genetics performing for them year after year."

Greenfields Karalee principal James Sullivan said he was also delighted with the competition on his draft.

"We had both new and return buyers which was great to see," he said.

"The rams were well received, and it's pleasing to know they can adapt into so many different areas and conditions."

He described Lot 1 as a standout and said "it was a big, square-framed ram with beautiful white, crimpy wool".

Nutrien auctioneer Gordon Wood said the clearance was a "pretty handy result" given the softer bidding environment at recent sales.

"Bids weren't exactly flowing, but the rams were well supported by mostly repeat buyers with a few new faces as well," he said.

"They presented really well despite the season, with high-yielding, clean-bodied sheep that will do in any environment - from Wagga to the EP and into pastoral country."

Elders auctioneer Tony Wetherall also praised the sale.

"It was a really solid result with strong buying support from right throughout SA and interstate," he said.

"The depth of quality was exceptional again this year - buyers had strong pickings right through the catalogue, which is a credit to the breeding program."

The sale was conducted by Nutrien and Elders.