SAN-Mateo Merino and Poll Merino stud, Brookton, has a long-term commitment to the production of high quality wool and genetics, and word is catching on.
San-Mateo stud principals Nigel and Damien Morrison said this was the largest number of registered buyers at their sale.
"One of our biggest client retired this year, but we still had a good sale," Nigel Morrison said.
"I only had about 17 or 18 buyers registered last year and we had another 10 register this year.
"I think people are starting to realise what we've got here, because previously not many people seemed to know.
"But word is starting to get out."
Mr Morrison said the confidence and a good season had also helped with the sale of so many rams on offer.
Of the 121 rams on offer, 111 were sold under the hammer, selling 25 more rams than last year under the hammer.
"Cash flow has definitely helped as well," Mr Morrison said.
"We have had people coming back.
"When it's a bad season, the first thing they cut back on is buying rams, and this wasn't the case this year."
The top priced ram was purchased by an undisclosed buyer for $2000, the only ram they purchased at the sale, it measured 19.5 micron, 15.9 per cent CV, 3.1 SD and 99.9pc Comfort Factor.
As a testament to the appeal of the San-Mateo wool and genetics Beverley locals David and Daniel Fleay returned for a second year in a row.
The Fleays won the winning bid on a total of six rams, and the second highest price of $1700.
The big Poll Merino measured 20.0 micron, 19 per cent CV, 3.8 SD and 99.5pc CF.
The Fleays said San-Mateo stud had good quality rams and they were seeking quality wool and framed animals.
"These Morrisons rams are keen young breeders that are going to be around for a while and we will be able to source rams for quite a while yet," David Fleay said.
"We were looking for good framed rams with good wool.
"We liked Lot 2 , he had good wool, was a good size and was a top quality ram."
The trend towards the Poll Merino genetics within the industry was again supported.
Mr Morrison said next year he will be evaluating to add more Poll Merinos to be offered in the sale.
"A lot more people are chasing the Polls, so we will have more Polls next year," Mr Morrison said.
"I will put more rams up if the price gets too dear; I don't want to get too high for the average farmer.
"As long as the clients are happy, I am happy."
The top volume buyer was Brookton local Troy Bassett, who was also keen on the Poll Merino offering.
Mr Bassett won the bidding on a total of nine Poll Merino rams.
"We were looking at rams around the 20 to 21 micron mark, because the ones at home are about 18-19, so we want to step that up.
"We were also looking at some larger framed, fuller body sheep that will cut a bit more wool and get some larger lambs out.
"The one's that we brought today all look about the same size, with larger bodies.
"Nigel has a fair few here this year like that, so it suits our purpose."
Returning for his third year, Mr Bassett has slowly been introducing the San-Mateo genetics to his flock.
"We purchased two rams in our first year and about eight last year," Mr Bassett said.
"We want to switch over to this line, so this nine will make 100 per cent San-Mateo rams and the one's we purchased previously that aren't Nigel's will be taken out.
"It will be good to have 100 per cent bloodline across the board."
Mr Bassett paid a top of $1300 for a 20.7 micron, 15 per cent CV, 3.1 SD and 99.7pc CF and averaged $1070 across all nine rams.
San-Mateo stud classer and Elders auctioneer Nathan King said the stud had some of the best wools in the State.
Mr King said it was a good sale all round with a number of new buyers.
"This was our biggest registration of buyers at the auction," Mr King said.
"It was also the most rams we have ever sold here at auction, so we are pleased.
Mr King said the average was up on last year's $837 of the same number of rams.
"We are always more interested in clearances than prices, but they also ended with up with a good average."
Mr King said he was pleased to see return buyers at the sale.
"There was a good spread, we weren't reliant on one buyer to buy a large volume of rams," he said.
"It was a good spread of buyers, which is always pleasing to see.
"I think the San-Mateo sheep cut a reasonable amount of wool without being complicated and most commercial breeders are saying they want to cut more wool than they have been, so there is confidence in the industry for these type of sheep."
Loyal buyers, brothers Tim and Andrew George, Corrigin, said they hold the genetics of the San-Mateo in high regard.
Returning for their eighth year, Tim George said the rams were good quality and were well priced.
A number of buyers purchased, five or more rams at this years sale.
The Georges won the bidding on a total of six rams.
They paid $1600 for a 21.1 micron, 16.1pc CV, 3.4 SD and 99.6 pc CF, and $1200 for 19.9 micron, 17.6 pc CV, 3.5 SD and 99.5pc CF.
They averaged a total of $1260.
DM & LJ Morrisons, Pingelly also took home six rams and paid a top of $1500 for a 21.4 micron, 19.0 CV, 3.2 SD and 99.9 pc CF.
