WIDESPREAD buying support for plain-bodied sheep with quality skins pushed Wirrulla Poll Merino stud Pimbena to a stud-record average of $1157 at its on-property ram sale on August 1.
The stud's 2013 average was a $165 improvement on last year's sale. The top price also increased, with two rams getting knocked down at $2800 – $800 up on the 2012 top.
Buyers of the top price rams were Chris Prime, Nantoura Poll Merino stud, Wharminda, and Mario Nicholls, Ceduna.
Mr Prime's purchase, an April 2012-drop sired by Glenlea Park 004, rated 0.1 millimetres for yearling fat and 0.6 for yearling eye muscle, with measurements of 108 kilograms bodyweight, 17.6-micron fleece with standard deviation of 2.6, 14.9 per cent coefficient of variation and 100pc comfort factor.
Mr Nicholls' ram rated -0.4mm for yearling fat and 0.6 for yearling eye muscle, weighing 107kg with a 20.4M fleece, 3SD, 14.9CV and 99.6CF.
Volume buyers included Tomney Brothers, Poochera, with seven rams to $2100, Tim Vanloon, Kyancutta, who bought seven rams to $1300, AW Nicholls, Ceduna, with six rams to $1400, and Trevor Pittaway, Haslam, who took home five rams to $1700.
Bill Walker, Classings P/L, bought three rams on behalf of Netallie Station, Wilcannia, New South Wales, and one for the Brophy family, Tintinara.
Pleasing for stud principal Les Hamence was the fact all these buyers were repeat clients of Pimbena, while the stud also welcomed the addition of five new buyers to the 2013 sale.
In the wash-up, 63 out of the 70 rams offered were sold at the auction, which took place in Pimbena's new ram shed.
*Full report in Stock Journal, August 8 issue, 2013.