'Clearance is king': Stud Park South's dual-purpose sheep secured at 15th sale

A ram with an unusual genetic makeup has sold for the top price at Stud Park South Merino and Poll Merino stud's annual on-property sale at Willaura.

The stud recorded a total clearance of 60 rams for an average of $3020, an increase of $543 on last year.

Chris Guthrie, Rich Avon, Donald, bought the top-priced ram of the sale, Lot 7, a 17.8-micron Poll Merino, for $11,000 on behalf of Oakbank, Merino stud, Gre Gre.

Mr Guthrie said the ram was an "exceptional" dual-purpose Merino.

"He had an unusual DNA, with the lowest micron wool in the sale and an unusually high fat score," he said.

"As anyone in the industry knows, that's hard to do."

He said the ram was "exceptionally well balanced", with a "great side and rear end".

"That vindicates those measurements," he said.

"Because of his production he is better suited to the Wimmera and that's where he's going."

He said the ram would be used to produce flock rams.

The 17-month-old ram was sired by Glenlea Park 312 and weighed 124 kilograms, with fleece measurements including 3.4 standard deviation, 18.8 coefficient of variation and 99.4 per cent comfort factor.

The ram had an eye muscle depth of 41 millimetres and a fat measurement of 6mm.

Stud Park South stud principal Pat Millear said it was one of the best averages the stud had achieved in its 15 years of on-property auctions.

"Lots of people came back because the rams are suiting their programs really well," Mr Millear said.

"The sheep looked really good, we were really pleased with them.

"We take 30-50 rams every year for ourselves for our commercial use if we can.

"We want to breed them to be as productive as they can be for this environment."

He said the top-priced ram had excellent figures and "his body weight was right up there".

"He is just a good, all-round sheep," he said.

"He is a very modern sheep and that's what people are looking for."

He said the stud continued to focus on frame and carcase, while trying to get the best wool it could.

Elders stud stock manager Ross Milne, Hamilton, said there were buyers present who had been on Stud Park South genetics since the first sale.

"Clearance is king in the majority of these sales and we saw a number of new clients here, which is really encouraging for the program," Mr Milne said.

"Pat's sheep are probably known in this local area for wool cut and body size and they are performing."

He said rams went to buyers throughout the western district, Bendigo, Ballarat, the north-west and South Australia.

Volume buyers included Mount Talbot, Toolondo, which purchased eight, and Callawadda Farms, Donald, which purchased seven.