Top-priced Kilfeera Park Merino ram heads down the road to a neighbour

A neighbour has purchased the top-priced Merino ram at Kilfeera Park's annual sale.

The Lurg stud sold 42 of the 54 rams offered for an average of $2305.

Ian and Michelle Ramage, who live about three kilometres from Kilfeera Park and have been using the stud's rams for more than 30 years, purchased the top ram, Lot 12, for $5000.

The top price easily exceeded last year's $4000 peak.

Kilfeera Park stud co-principal Murray McKenzie said the economic climate had improved compared with last year, with prices up for both wool and meat.

"With the tough year last year, people held back a bit," Mr McKenzie said.

He said the top-priced ram was "very correct" and had good conformation, with a "magnificent, beautifully defined, crimpy, white wool".

He said the sire was by artificial insemination from Roseville Park 221194.

"He had a brother who made more than $4000, so those AI progeny created a fair amount of interest," he said.

The top-priced ram had an 18.4-micron fleece, a standard deviation of 2.6, a coefficient of variation of 14.2 and a comfort factor of 99.5 per cent.

His yearling weight was 7.05 kilograms and he had a yearling eye muscle depth of -1.65 millimetres and yearling fat depth of -0.05mm.

Mr Ramage, who runs 350 Merino ewes as part of a 700-strong flock, said he hoped the ram would maintain the wool quality and cut from his flock.

He said half the flock was joined to a Merino and the other half to a terminal sire.

He said it was the only ram he bought this season.

"Murray has good-quality wool on his sheep," he said.

"He has a big, long body, nice width, good feet and upstanding, soft wool."

Elders Wangaratta district wool manager Rex Bennett said there were a number of repeat buyers at the sale, with two new clients.

"There were a couple of extra volume buyers, who really set the pace" Mr Bennett said.

"The rams did present well and the season set Murray up to produce an even run."

Elizabeth Prowse, Violet Town, bought seven rams, while Kithbrook Estates, Kithbrook, picked up six.

Rams went to Riverina, western district and local commercial operations.