FERN Park Poll Merino rams attracted strong bidding throughout the 71 head sale which gained a top sale price of $1800, an 85 per cent clearance and a gross about on par with last year.
The sale, which got under way after a delightful offering of moreish sandwiches, delicious cake, jam and cream scones and tea and coffee, soon hit the top price of $1800 in pen 12.
The impressive top-priced ram with 23.4 micron wool (measured this month), a comfort factor of 97.7 per cent and coefficient of variation of 15.9, was bought by Hyden grain and sheep farmer Carlo Varone who had returned to Fern Park after a seven-year absence.
He and wife Jenny run about 6000 sheep which produce about 200 bales of wool as well as sheep for export each year.
The Varone account bought six of the early-maturing large-frame rams, ranging in price from $600 to $1800 to average $1166.
Dyson Jones auctioneer Andrew Kittow said the sale results were pleasing with about 20 more of the Collinsville-Old Ashrose blood rams being offered this year than last year.
"The quality of the rams was good," Mr Kittow said.
Fern Park principal Kevin Pauley said he was pleased with the sale outcome and was grateful for support from his clients.
He said he was happy with this year's gross and not concerned about a lower top price and average this year after putting in more rams.
Greg Schorer, Schorer & Sons, Jitaring, purchased 12 rams ranging from $600 to $1500 (twice), which produced an average of $1033.
Meanwhile Andrew Grieve, ND & OF Grieve, Cuballing, bought 11 rams on the day with prices ranging from $600 to a high of $1600.
Account DP & RM Sinclair, Newdegate, secured a total of nine rams for $500, $600, $900, $1000 (three times), $1100 and $1500 (twice).
Simon Newman, Linton Park Farms, Cuballing, bidding throughout the sale, bought seven rams ranging in price from $500 to $1450.
This was his second attendance at a Fern Park sale.
Stuart Yandle, SJ Yandle, Narembeen, purchased five for a $920 average while AD Nicholas & Co, Gnowangerup, bought four at $500, $600, $1100 and $1600.
Narembeen producer JF Yandle, purchased four at $400, $500, $600 and $1300 during the sale and one passed in ram for $500.
RP Bushby, Lake Grace, bought three rams at $600, $1000 and $1200.