THE line-up at Cranmore Park stud ram sale gets better and better each year, according to long time buyers at last week's 66th annual sale.
The impressive line-up of Merino and Poll Merino rams averaged $1244 over the 169 rams sold, including the top price for the Polls at $2400 and the Merinos at $2200.
Don McKinley, DT & M McKinley, Moora, and his son Matthew again this year outbid some tough competition.
He won the bidding on this years top-priced ram, at $2400, with an average of $2000 across eight rams.
The ram was also the top price Poll Merino, which recorded 19.3 micron, 108 per cent GFW, 17.1 CV, a fat of 0.4 mm and 99.7 per cent comfort factor.
"We wanted a good, big animal with good figures and good wool," Mr McKinley said.
"We have about 4000 ewes at home, mated to Merino and prime lamb ram sires.
"I came in, knowing I needed another seven rams, so I am happy with the eight."
Last year Mr McKinley purchased four rams and said he was looking for a few more this year.
"We were looking for a good even team of Polls, as usual," Mr McKinley said.
"We wanted some good quality rams, and the Poll rams in particular, have improved a lot."
Mr McKinley said the prices were good and hoped stud principal Kristen Lefroy had a good solid sale.
The top priced Merino was purchased by Wong Wong Pastoral Co, Moora, Lot 45 for $2200, and also purchased 11 rams and averaged $1870.
Buyers got in quick and fast, including Wong Wong Pastoral Co, winning the bidding on lots 2,3,4, 9 and 10 first up.
Lot 2 was sold for $1400, which recorded 22.5 micron, 81pc GFW, 17.2 CV, a fat of 0.9 mm and 98.3pc CF.
Lot 3 was sold for $1800, which recorded 21.7 micron, 92pc GFW, 17.1 CV, a fat of 0.4 mm and 99.1pc CF.
Landmark auctioneer Grant Lupton said there was some spirited bidding during the sale, with more than four buyers placing bids at the same time on a number of lots.
"There were 20 extra rams put in the ring, so there was plenty of selection for buyers," Mr Lupton said.
"It was good to see some good long term clients keep coming back each year, because of the quality and offering of the catalogue.
"There were some regular buyers coming through thick and fast, it was a spirited sale.
"They didn't stall, it kept going throughout the sale."
Mr Lupton said the prices of the day were reflective of the season.
"The average reflected that those people who have sheep will breed a few more next year," Mr Lupton said.
"There is confidence in the season, the way the wool market and sheep market are ticking along gives people a lot of confidence."
Long-term client Jodi Duncan, AD & SE Duncan, Ravensthorpe, was the top volume buyer, as she managed to outbid a number of punters, taking home a total of 17 rams.
"I was looking to buy a large number," Ms Duncan said.
"We have been coming here for the past five years and normally buy between 10 to 25 rams a year, with the sale and private selection rams.
"I will also buy a few from the private selection this year as well, to replace a few old rams."
Ms Duncan said they have about 4500 ewes, so they needed the numbers.
"We were looking for some good free flowing, bright white wool," she said.
"Also fleece weight is something we were chasing, as its important to us."
Ms Duncan purchased lot 27 at $1050, with 20 micron, 17.7 CV and 18.9pc CF and averaged $1020.
She also won the bidding on lot 114 at $1500, with 22.2 micron, 17.6 per cent CV and 98.1pc CF.
Mr Lefroy said there were a number of new registered buyers he hadn't seen at the sale before.
"There were 33 registered and I noticed a handful of buyers that I had never seen before," he said.
"Our average was up and that's probably a combination of good grain prices and a good season and the sheep are looking good.
"There is a lot more confidence around.
"One passed in, but sold straight after the sale, so it was basically a total clearance.
"We sold 20 more than last year, so how could I not be happy."
There were a number of long-term buyers, who won the bidding on a number of the Cranmore Park rams, including, Yolanda Holdings, Kojonup, who purchased 15 rams, G&Y Roberts, Dandaragan, who won the bidding on 11 rams and GM Humphreys & Co, who took home 12 rams.
