The widespread dry conditions hasn’t affected confidence in the wool market with the price boom flowing into the selling ring at the Mount Ascot Ram Sale at Mitchell on Wednesday where the top price ram sold for $5200.
Of the 48 single lots of horned rams offered by Nigel and Rosemary Brumpton of Mount Ascot Merinos, 47 of them sold under the hammer for a 97 per cent clearance and an average of $1738.
The Jolly Jumbuck Poll Merino Stud of Felicity, Charlie and Lachie Brumpton sold 31 of their 32 single rams for a 96 per cent clearance and an average of $1680.
Another six lots of three rams were also offered by Mt Ascot with 11 rams selling for an average of $1018/hd.
The Brumpton children outdid their parents, making the top price of $5200 for the last single ram of the sale.
Sired by Willandra Desmond, the ram recorded test figures of 110 kilogram body weight, 20 micron, 13 co-efficient of variation, 99.6 per cent comfort factor and 64 score curvature.
The ram was one of two purchased by Lenny Polkinghorne, Charinga Merino Stud, Berrimal, Victoria.
Mr Polkinghorne said the ram had everything they were looking for in a sire at Charinga.
“He’s got an outstanding presence, he’s got a beautiful sirey head, and he goes along with a great make and shape and constitution,” he said.
“He’s got a beautiful white wool that will withstand rainfall, he’s got great meat in his hindquarters and a great spring of rib.
“The ram’s great on his feet, beautiful outlook, and he’ll cut plenty of wool.”
A Jolly Jumbuck ram also made the second top price of $4100, purchased by the Sisson family, Glenene, Guyra.
Repeat buyers Bob and Margie Little who operate two sheep properties, Moonby Downs at Hughenden and Waverly at Cunnamulla, were once again the top volume buyer of the sale, taking home 14 rams for an average of $2600.
Mr Little said the success of Mt Ascot rams in his flock brought him back year after year even though conditions were tough.
“You’ve got to keep buying a few rams every year otherwise when you do need them you haven’t got them,” he said.
“We hope it rains, so we can join them of course, but if it doesn’t they’ll have to stay here.
“It’s looking pretty sad on both places, but we live in hope. It will rain one day.”
Stud principal Nigel Brumpton said he was ecstatic with the result considering the widespread drought conditions.
“They’re probably the best grown rams we’ve ever presented; the body weights are showing that, expressing the dual-purposeability of our sheep,” he said.
“I was very happy with the way they looked and performed on the day, especially considering the drought year.”
A total of 15 bid cards were registered for the sale.
Other bulk buyers included A Alexander & Sons, Willoughby, Barcaldine who purchased 10 rams averaging $1200 while the Glasson family, Greenlaw, Yaraka also bought 11 rams averaging $1081.
Selling agents: Elders
