There was very strong interest in fine-micron and heavy-fleeced Merino and Poll Merino rams when 72 sold from 90 offered by Peter and Gavin Lieschke, Bundaleer, Alma Park, at their 27th annual on-property sale.
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Chris Webb, representing his parents Max and Carol Webb, Walla Walla, paid $4000 for his choice of the draft with the figures of 19.1 micron, 2.7 standard deviation (SD) 99.6 clean fleece weight (CFW) and 99.6 per cent comfort factor (CF).
Mr Webb, who purchased a second ram at $3600, said his parents have been coming to Bundaleer for the past 30 years. "In our self-replacing flock, the free growing wool on plain bodies suit our country," he said.
The other $4000 top-priced ram was bought by brothers Joel and Darcy McCall, Daysdale, and was part of their draft of six rams which averaged $2500.
Their new sire, a September 2020-drop Poll Merino had the measurements of 18 micron, 2.9 SD, 118.1 CFW and 99.3pc CF.
Joel McCall noted the structure and bold crimped fleece with high comfort factor as traits which attracted him and his brother to the Bundaleer rams.
Volume buyers included AC Kerr Nominees Pty Ltd, Oaklands, who selected five rams for a $3120 average.
Gavan Lieschke was circumspect when he said the social restrictions meant some buyers were not able to attend.
"Ram buyers like to be able to look at the sheep and feel the wool before they will commit to buying," he said.
"Rarely do they rely simply on figures - we did have a good sale in the circumstances."
The auction was settled by Elders, Albury, with agents Oliver Mason and Brett Shea sharing the rostrum.