STRONG numbers and spirited bidding meant there were good deals and happy vendors at the Chapman Valley Stud Breeders Association ram sale held on September 6 at the Nanson showground.
The good weather ensured there were plenty of people at the sale with more than 100 people attending, and 59 registered buyers to ensure there was plenty of competition for the high quality rams.
Landmark auctioneer Tiny Holly said the quality of the ram presented by the vendors ensured there was plenty of confidence in the bidding.
"Due to the good wool prices, the Poll Merinos did very well on the day with steady, solid sales and a good overall average price," he said.
"The British breeds were big rams and well covered with a lot of meat on them - exactly what buyers wanted.
"The Dorpers were also very strong and all-in-all stud breeders put up the goods which resulted in happy vendors and happy buyers."
This year there were 188 predominantly paddock-raised rams in the catalogue representing three breeds, which was an increase on last year's catalogue of 176.
The sale also included Willigulli North Poll Merino stud, which has been taken over by Karen and Geoff Poyner from previous owners Nola and Ross Johnson.
The stud normally sells at Northampton but decided to try Chapman Valley and were not disappointed.
"We were very happy with how the day went and with the prices," Mr Poyner said.
The quality from the breeders ensured all except two rams sold on the day with an average price of $1212, which slightly down on last year's average of $1240.
Poll Merino
Poll Merinos from Wynarling and Willigulli North were on offer with a total field of 38 rams.
Top price was paid by W & DJC Micherton & Son, Nolba, at $2000 for a Wynarling bred ram testing 20.8 micron, 15.9 CV and 99.9 per cent comfort factor.
Wynarling stud fielded 22 rams in the sale with an average sale price of $1214.
The rams were often recognised for "long bodies" and "good square sheep" by auctioneer Tiny Holly.
Willigulli North rams also had a solid performance at its first sale at Chapman Valley under new owners.
They were in strong demand from buyers Paul and Tanya Husbands, Northampton and Marloo Primary Enterprises, Drummond Cove, as the Husbands purchased five rams, while Marloo Primary Enterprises purchased four from the stud.
Mr Husbands said the price was "about average" to what he had paid for the rams, which he has been buying for more than 10 years.
"The wool and frame of the sheep are key points for us," he said.
It was a solid result for the stud with a top price of $1500 for two rams and average price of $1120 overall with all but one ram selling.
Poll Dorset
Quality and quantity were on par with the Poll Dorsets with the breed making up 55pc of the total catalogue and all selling under the hammer.
Tipperary had the lion's share of rams, with 60 rams selling at an average price of $1353 - the best in the sale.
They also topped the price on the day selling their last ram in the run for $2200 to Darren Chapman, Boyup Brook.
The ram was born on June 10, 2015 and was a son of PA296-07 with a 10.1 WWT, 14.7 PWWT, -1.0 PFAT, 1.3 PEMD and 194.2kg Carcase Plus.
Mr Chapman was clearly keen on the quality on display, purchasing an additional three rams from the vendor at an overall average price of $1525.
Elders auctioneer Gary Preston, who auctioned 40 of Tipperary's 60 rams, said repeat buyers and an excellent season in the Mid West had secured an increase of total clearance.
"Overall we've had a good crowd and the average was up at least $100 a head and reflects in the Tipperary stud," he said.
"Their genetics are improving all the time and it was good to see repeat buyers returning.
"The top price ram is an exceptional ram and the Chapmans are regular buyers so they're on to a good thing down there."
Mr Chapman had strong competition from others buyers, including BR & RK Soullier, Yandanooka, who purchased eight rams, Mt Ferguson Grazing with four rams and DV & ME Simpson who were overall strong buyers purchasing three rams from Tipperary as well as four from River Road Poll Dorset and two from Woodgrove.
River Road Poll Dorset rams were also in strong demand, with five buyers vying for the 16 rams for sale with an overall average sale price of $1113.
TM & AM Vlahov and T & A Blayney, both of Geraldton, paid $1500 each for two rams,while Outfield Holdings, Yuna, purchased three rams.
Woodgrove had an excellent showing of 34 rams, fetching a top price of $1200 for two rams to FJ Burton & Sons, Dongara and CJ & PJ Hasleby and an average overall price of $947 which was an improvement on last year's average of $916. FJ Burton was the largest multiple ram buyer of Woodgrove rams with five rams, followed by Newmarracarra Co, Geraldton, which matched last year's purchase of four rams and the Haslebys, EJ Culloton and Avalon Way Farming Trust purchasing three rams.
Dorper
The Batten family's Douwana Dorper stud, Yuna, experienced strong competition among the 10 bidders.
Following on from last year's purchase of 13 rams, JC & ME Wasley took home 10 of the 40 rams on offer and shared the top price of $2000 with DT & J Pedlar, Moonyoonka and Trevor Smyth, Landmark Geraldton who was bidding on behalf of Macabee Estate, Northam.
Mr Wasley said the Douwana Dorpers were a good fit for his Mingenew property, where he runs 3000 sheep.
"I have been buying Douwana Dorpers since about 2005 - they suit the area and the no shearing is a bonus for us," he said.
Other multiple buyers were OP & DJC Richardson with six rams, Banyanda Farms, JR & RS Raffan and Kilkerran Agriculture with four rams each.
By the end of the Douwana run 39 out of the 40 rams offered had been sold at an average of $1326, which was second best in the sale.
