Top ram a stud favourite

Long-term clients at Monte Verde's annual on-property ram sale bid heavily last week, pushing the top price to $1500 and the average up by almost $200 to $702.

Stan and Sue Hall offered 58 rams this year that averaged 18.7 micron, 3.5 SD, 18.7 CV, 69.4 per cent yield and 3.1kg GFW.

Before the sale, Landmark auctioneer Charlie Staite told prospective buyers the wool from the stud ewe hoggets measured 18 microns and sold for 1424c/kg, to make $2697 a bale.

Ram lambs shorn in May averaged 16.1 micron and two mobs of stud ewes recorded 120 per cent lambing.

After competitive bidding, Grass Valley producer Grant Cooke purchased the top-priced ram.

The ram was Mr Hall's favourite because of his pearly white wool.

Mr Cooke described the ram as fine and upstanding, having good statistics and wool. The ram measured 17.6 micron, 3.9 SD, 22.3 CV, 70.8 per cent yield and 3.4 GFW.

Mr Cooke, who has been buying from Monte Verde for eight years, selected a team of 11 rams.

After the sale, Mr Hall said he was pleased with the result.

"Buyers who have been sticking with us for up to 20 years are reaping the rewards of quality wool, the same as we are," he said.

Of the passed-in rams, two sold after the sale for $450 each.

Last year, Monte Verde offered 52 rams and sold 40, with a top of $850 and average of $527.

Monte Verde ram sale * BREED OFFERED SOLD TOP PRICE AVERAGE Merino 58 49 $1500 $702