'Something for everyone': Almost all rams sold at inaugural sale for new stud

The solid start to this year's ram selling season continued when the Bolt family, Wogerlin Poll Merino stud, Corrigin, recorded a strong result in their inaugural sale at the Corrigin ram pavilion last week.

Steven and Sandy Bolt and family offered a top-quality line-up of 70 well-presented Poll Merino rams, which attracted a large crowd of eager bidders and onlookers.

The catalogue was packed with strong genetics boasting bright, white wools, meaning there was something to suit all buyers' breeding objectives and requirements.

Spirited bidding and strong competition was present from pen one, right through to the end of the catalogue, resulting in 67 of the 70 rams offered sold under the hammer to an average of $1637.

Elders auctioneer and stud stock manager, Nathan King, said it was a very pleasing result for the Bolt family.

"It was a very good result for Steven, Sandy and family who have gone out on their own," Mr King said.

"It was a great clearance, as well as great competition throughout the sale.

"A few buyers managed to also pick up large volumes of rams which was great to see.

"It was a great line-up of rams that were well-presented throughout."

The tone was set early on when two rams achieved the sale's top price of $3400.

The first to pay the $3400 was John Hurst, WT & MC Hurst & Company, Nyabing, for a ram in lot 11.

The well-rounded ram had a micron of 20.4.

Mr Hurst said he was selecting rams based on the type he generally looked for.

"I look for sires that are in good condition, with white, soft, crimpy-style wool," Mr Hurst said.

"Size and squareness is also important for quick growth."

Mr Hurst runs 2500 Merino breeding ewes lambing in May and aims to turn them off at liveweights, ranging from 40 to 45 kilograms.

The Nyabing producer continued his buying streak, purchasing four rams at an average of $2475.

Purchasing the other $3400 top-priced ram from lot 18 was HJ & KL Poultney, Corrigin.

The large-framed ram had a micron of 19.7 and was one of five rams the Poultney family purchased at an average of $2300.

Taking out the sale's $3200 second top price honours was GW & E Anderson & Son, Quairading, for a ram with a 21.4 micron.

The Anderson family took a liking to the stylish rams, purchasing another three, for an average of $2425.

Winning the bid for the third top price ram, was the Steele family, KLF & RE Steele, Pingrup.

The Steeles paid a high of $3100 for a ram from lot five with a micron of 20.2.

They were looking to purchase sires with good shape, good wool and quick growth.

Wogerlin stud's biggest supporter on the day was Darren Kilminster, D & T Kilminster & Co, Bruce Rock, who was the volume buyer.

Mr Kilminster purchased a team of 14 rams averaging $1586, and paid a high of $3000 for a ram with a micron of 19.8.

The Bruce Rock producer was rapt with his purchases.

"I was selecting mainly on the size, quality and genetics of the rams," Mr Kilminster said.

"The genetics are sensational and I know the rams do really well over the ewes we have."

Mr Kilminster runs a 1500 to 1600 head Merino breeding flock that lambs down each April.

Another fan of the Wogerlin genetics was DE Sedgwick & Co, Babakin.

The Babakin producers picked up eight top-quality rams, bidding to a high of $1600, averaging $1163.

Picking up six rams each was Bokara Farms, Mt Hampton, averaging $1600, and PL & SM Rendell, Corrigin, for an average of $867.

The Statford family, GE & LD Stratford, travelled from Dowerin to bid up on their catalogue favourites, securing a team of eight rams at an average of $2300.

They paid a high of $2700 for a ram with a 21.1 micron.

Lenfied Farms, Moorine Rock, also took home five rams, averaging $840.

Mr Bolt was also pleased with the sale's result.

"To offer a team of rams for my long-existing clients was great," Mr Bolt said.

"We've always had a strong commitment to the WA sheep industry and we plan to continue doing that going forward.

"We're happy with how the rams were presented today and the support we received, thank you to our clients."