The exceptionally stylish, well covered 14.4 micron son of Hillcreston Park Commander, was originally destined for the Armidale Housed Ram and Sale early in 2017, but the August shorn ram will now head across the Tasman with the Sanders Family securing him prior to the main auction.

Competition at the sale was strong with 38 of the 43 Superfine Merino and Poll Merino rams offered selling for an average of $1,543.

Long-term clients including Don and Joan Price, Pyramul, purchased three rams to a top of $2,000. Roger and Yvonne Connley, Omeo, bought four rams to a top of $2,800. Tony and Natalie Hewitt of Crookwell took home five rams to a top of $1,600.

Also on offer were rams from Crown Hill Poll Dorset Stud, with the stud achieving its best sale result since establishment in 2005.

Reaching a high of $1,300 and an average $919, the strong sale saw 41 of the 53 rams offered sold during the auction. This was a $100 increase on the 2015 average.

Bigga locals and long-term clients, Joanne White and her father Harvey Moss of Clear Hills purchased the top priced ram of the sale for $1,300. The 110kg ram of Tattykeel bloodlines has impressive structure and measurements, with an eye muscle depth of 42mm, width of 91mm, fat depth of 8mm for a total Eye Muscle Area (EMA) of 29.42. Joanne and Harvey purchased a further six rams, averaging $1,071.

The trend of selecting rams with a high EMA value and good body structure continued at the sale with these rams receiving the bulk of bidding action.

First-time buyer Richard Chalker, Darbys Falls, purchased eight rams to a top of $950. Repeat buyers Tom and Katie Keatley, Tarago, purchased four rams topping at $1,250. Vince Seary representing the Fairview property at Binda purchased five rams to a top of $1,000. Nephew Ben Picker bought four rams to a top of $950.

Stud principal, Danny Picker, was very happy with the results of both sales and thanked all new and returning clients. He was pleased with how the rams presented on the day, noting that an excellent season and ongoing efforts to improve bloodlines had combined to produce rams that were well grown and in excellent order.

Picker thanked all agents who attended especially Rick Power who was excellent as the merino auctioneer and Cherylee Sturt of the Merial company and JD’s Hardware and Rural of Crookwell for sponsoring the sale.

Hillcreston Park Superfine Merino Stud and Crown Hill Poll Dorset stud both have further flock rams available.