Sale day to remember for Spriggs

If there was a record kept for WA's top sale averages for Merino rams it would have been smashed last week at East Strathglen stud in Tambellup.

After setting what is believed to be the State's highest average price of $1898 for a total of 150 Merino rams, offered and all sold, the sale's success is now the talk of the industry.

Landmark stud stock representative Mitchell Crosby said although he believed the sale average to be the highest for WA, the value was reasonable for today's returns on sheep and wool prices.

Buyers were simply not prepared to sacrifice on quality so they dug deep into their pockets, knowing that their investment was for East Strathglen's quality that has remained consistent over the years.

A humble Rohan Sprigg, son of East Strathglen principals Rowland and Elizabeth, put the amazing result down to the season.

Bidding with confidence, Gerald Saunders, of HA Saunders & Co, Narrogin, bought the $11,500 top-priced ram. The repeat buyer said East Strathglen rams performed well in wet or dry seasons.

The 22.3 micron Merino will go to work in Mr Saunders' 300 head nucleus of top breeders to produce commercial rams for a 6000-head pure ewe flock.

Mr Saunders bought a total of five rams for an average price of $5070.

The $8500 second top-priced ram sold to Arrin Park Merino stud, of Three Springs, with Landmark's Mitchell Crosby bidding on behalf of the buyer, Neil Reed.

Another high priced ram was bought for $7500 by AH & MG Bos, of Victoria.

Volume buyers included KR & DH O'Keeffe, of Gnowangerup, who bought a total of 13 rams for an average price of $2319.

Bill Morey, who trades as WE & GE Morey, of Kojonup, bought nine rams for an average of $2305.

"We have been buying East Strathglen rams for 30 years," Mr Morey said.

With 48 registered bidders, the sale was destined to make a resounding impact and the result may echo for some time.

Stud ewes also went under the hammer - 143 offered and sold to a top price of $270 and an average of $153.

East Strathglen ram sale * BREED OFFERED SOLD TOP PRICE AVERAGE Merino 123 123 $11,500 $1921 Poll Merino 27 27 $7500 $1792 TOTAL 150 150 $11,500 $1898 Stud ewes 143 143 $270 $153