With a top price of $6500, 85 rams sold for a sale average of $1636.

Speaking before the sale, Mr Blyth said he never intended to breed rams for sale to other woolgrowers when he commenced his operation.

"I only thought about breeding rams for myself because I couldn't find the type of rams I wanted," he said.

"But when we started breeding rams for other people you need to be very careful because your integrity is on the line.

"We are honest in our presentation and are very proud of this year's offering."

Mr Blyth also made comment on the mulesing debate.

"It is not a matter of if anymore, but when," he said.

"And if you are not ready when the time arises, there will be consequences."

He noted there is currently a financial consequence with non-mulesed attracting a price premium.

The top price at $6500 was made for lot 75 purchased by Dominic Hallam, Cooee stud, Gunning and bought on his behalf by his father Greg.

Dominic Hallam is a longterm supporter of the Blyth genetic direction and has not mulesed his flock for the past 10 years.

The combination of high fertility and non-mulesing is a big attraction for Mr Hallam as he breeds his high performance SRS Merino flock.

"We are scanning 146 per cent ewes joined and we think this ram will only add to our genetic strength," he said.

"He has very good figures, with a high fleece weight with the type of wool we are looking for."

Mr Hallam explained the long-stapled, soft and deep-crimped SRS wool with a good pencil-tipped staple on plain bodied Merinos are his ambition.

"This ram is an outstanding ram with nice soft fleece on a good skin," he said.

Mr Hallam was impressed by the following figures of 16.7 micron, 99.5 per cent comfort factor, 1.5 breech score, 4.3 yearling weight, 1.9 eye muscle depth and 115.34 greasy fleece weight percentage.

Second top price at $3800 was paid for lot 92 by J.L Edgerton and Sons, Jugiong, longtime supporters of Blyth Merino genetics.

The third top price at $3400 was paid by Brenton and Jane Smith, Calcookara Stud, Cowell, South Australia.

Mr Smith explained they were wanting to breed positive fat and eye muscle into their sheep.

"They are desirable traits for doabilty and survivability through tough seasons and also important for weaning more lambs," he said.

"Our choice is a robust and strong animal."

His figures were 17 micron, 99.6 percent CF, 2 breech score with 3.9 YWT and 2.1 YEMD.

Another South Australian-based stud Pepperwell, Kyneton purchased lot 83 and Mr Smith said the stud principals were also looking for positive fat and eye muscle depth along with wool quality.

"The wool has great nourishment, fibre alignment and bold crimp," he said.

"The ram is a robust and easy care animal."

Volume buyers included Mt Hugel Pty Ltd, Adelong who selected six rams to $3300 and average $1900. Cascade Pastoral Co, Jugiong had a draft of seven rams which averaged $2500 and P.E Graham Trust, Adjungbilly added eight rams to their sire battery for an average price $2125.

Continuing his association Blyth Merinos, Ian Campbell, Henty selected three rams to a top of $3200.

During the Henty Machinery Field Days, Mr Blyth had a wether lamb on display and he invited people to estimate the fleece weight, its micron measurement and its dressed body weight. He said the 17 week fleece weighed 4.1kg, measured 20.1 microns and he estimates the dressing weight at 28kg.

"They are figures I am very happy with and confirm my decision to go down this genetic direction," he said.

The Helmsman style auction was settled by Elders, Tumut.