'Not trying to do anything fancy': Melrose's polled and horned rams go local

Focusing on the basics paid off for a Wimmera sheep stud at its annual on-property ram sale.

Melrose Merino stud, Nurrabiel, sold 41 of the 52 polled and horned rams it offered on Wednesday, averaging $1798 and peaking at $4250.

The prices were steady compared to last year when the stud sold 44 of 48 rams for an overall average of $1837.

The top-priced ram, Lot 27, was sold to Scott Cameron, Glen Heather Pty Ltd, Nurrabiel.

The May-drop ram recorded fleece measurements including 18.5 micron, 2.5 standard deviation, 13.5 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor.

Mr Cameron, a repeat client, took time out of a busy week of shearing to attend the sale and said he sought the top-priced ram for its overall package and strong wool.

"They are a bit heavy this year due to the rain, I like a bit of a heavy micron," he said.

"He is a nice, straight ram, I'm happy with him."

Purchasing two rams, including Lot 18 for $2000, Mr Cameron said he would put them out with the best ewes among his flock of about 5000.

Melrose stud principal Warren Russell said he was pleased with the result as the wool market had maintained good prices this year.

"We're happy with the result," Mr Russell said.

"I think clients would be happy.

"We want white, bright wool on a big frame with plenty of facility and growth.

"We're not trying to do anything fancy."

One of the top volume buyers was Robbie Miller, Mt Bepcha, Glenisla, who purchased six rams.

It was Mr Miller's first time buying rams from Melrose, having purchased ewes from the stud at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo.

"We've been on a different bloodline for about seven years now, so these will go with our maidens, and we'll see what lambs they produce," he said.

"There were great quality sheep in the line-up so we decided to purchase a few."

The commercial breeder joins about 2500 ewes and he has a cropping farm in Laharum.