Cranmore rams to $2800 top

A total clearance highlighted the Lefroy family's 65th annual Cranmore ram sale, held last week at Walebing.

Also showcased at the annual on-property event was the newly built shearing shed, which attracted plenty of attention.

Cranmore co-principal Bruce Lefroy said the custom interior with its horseshoe platform was built by Peter Cochrane.

"The new ventilated shed replaces Cranmore's original shearing shed built in 1911, making this a well-deserved investment in the wool industry," he said.

As the day continued, all 149 rams offered were sold to a top price of $2800 and an average price of $1074/head, as compared with last year when all 140 rams offered were sold for an average price of $999/head.

The sale-topper sold to Don McKinley, of Moora, who also bought the $2700 second top-price Poll Merino ram. He secured a total of four Poll Merino rams for an average price of $2275.

The McKinley's sale-topper recorded 18.6 microns and a comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.

"I was selecting for above- average Poll Merinos on both the wool and meat traits," Mr McKinley said.

"It was good to work off the posted Australian Sheep Breeding Values, particularly using eye muscle depth and fat."

The McKinleys run a pure Poll Merino replacement flock of 1500 ewes and also have a cross-breeding program with similar numbers, using Poll Dorset rams over Poll Merino ewes.

Also paying good money for Poll Merinos, Michael and Tracy Humphry, of Walebing, paid $2000 for their top pick, an 84kg, 18.9-micron Poll Merino with a comfort factor of 99.9 per cent.

Mr Humphry said the ram had free-growing soft white wool and was heavy cutting.

The Humphrys, who have been repeat Cranmore ram buyers for 29 years, also bought five Merino rams to a top of $1600.

Dandaragan woolgrower and 30-year client Grant Creagh, of Creagh Brothers, bought two of the $1900 equal top-priced Merino rams.

Mr Creagh said the rams had good white, free-growing fleece and were heavy cutters.

He bought a total of four Merino rams for an average price of $1337.

Also securing $1900 Merino rams were account W & J Pearson and LV Tierney & Sons.

Volume buyer Kim House, of Wang Wang Pastoral, Watheroo, bought a total of 13 Merino rams to a top of $1600 and average price of $1261.

Homewood Farms livestock manager Rob Climas took advantage of the ASBVs, which were posted for the first time this year at Cranmore.

He said the ASBVs were used in combination with visual assessment for wool cut and other essential traits, including yearling growth and fat.

Mr Climas bought five Poll Merino rams to a top of $1800 and average price of $1360.

Other volume buyers included Zac Roberts, of G & Y Roberts, Dandaragan, who bought 22 rams for an average price of $839, and Jaden Cocking bought seven rams for an average price of $807.

Cranmore Merino and Poll Merino Ram Sale * Breed Offered Sold Top Price Average Merino 102 102 $1900(4) $1025 Poll Merino 47 47 $2800 $1180 TOTAL 149 149 $2800 $1074