Confidence high at Anglesey sale

With more rain expected to top off the brilliance of the ongoing great southern season, confidence was in stride at the Anglesey ram sale in Gnowangerup last week.

After stud principal Geoff Shepherdson opened the sale with a sparkle in his eye due to the exceptional line up, the sale was strong from start to finish.

"The Anglesey team was pleased to pen up some of the best sheep in a long time," he said.

The offering of 99 Merino and Poll Merino rams realised 94 sold to a top of $3000 twice and an average price of $1422, which was $97 a head better than last year when 81 sold for an average of $1325.

The sale toppers were both out of the Poll line up with two different buyers weighing up the ram types to their own specific requirements.

While buyers Brian and Tim Beeck, of Glenorchy Estate, Gnowangerup, were looking for great scale, length of body and wool type and cut for their top "ram of the shed" pick, Ongerup woolgrower Maurice O'Neill's selection was based on free-growing wool style.

"We are usually only in on the Merino rams, but we couldn't go past buying this standout Poll," Brian Beeck said.

The irresistible Poll recorded a 18.4 micron, 3.5 standard deviation, 18.9 coefficient of variation and a 99.9 per cent comfort factor.

The Beecks, who have been regular Anglesey clients for the past 25 years and have a commercial flock of 2500 ewes, bought three Merinos and two Polls for an average price of $2020.

Tambellup woolgrower Peter Bradshaw purchased a $2000 equal top-priced Merino ram in his selection of four Merinos and two Polls for an average price of $1467.

There were quite a few buyers securing both Merino and Polls with MK & M Peakall successful on six Merinos and five Polls for an average of $1395.

Volume buyer of Polls was Roy Dolan, of Nyabing, who bought an even dozen to a top of $2200 and average price of $1821.

Mr Dolan farms with his wife, Ann, and their sons, Warren and Clinton, and their wives Michelle and Jenni, who have a 60/40 crop/sheep program.

"We run 3600 ewes which have produced the best June dropped lambs in a long time," Mr Dolan said.

"Our ram selection criteria were based on length and depth of body."

Anglesey ram sale * *Stud * *Offered * *Sold * *Top price * *Average * Merino 39 37 $2000(2) $1351 Poll Merino 60 57 $3000(2) $1468 TOTAL 99 94 $3000(2) $1422

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