$13,000 top ram at East Strathglen

East Strathglen’s renowned wool types from the stud’s astute Merino breeding attracted an incredible result at the Sprigg family’s annual ram sale last week at Tambellup.

After clearing 150 Merino and Poll Merino rams, to a top price of $13,000, the sale set a new WA record average price for a single vendor of $2262.

First-time buyer Michael Hedger, of Snowy Plains stud, Berridale, NSW, secured the sale-topper via phone link through Landmark agent Michael Crosby.

Countryman interviewed Mr Hedger recently after he made another ram purchase from another stud.

“WA rams have excellent bone structure which has not been a major consideration in the east, particularly with those studs breeding more superfine types,” he said.

Mr Hedger had said he was intent on acquiring his first East Strathglen Merino ram after viewing the selections recently.

His prophecy came true with an 18.1-micron ram with a 99.8 comfort factor, sired by East Strathglen Mundy, which goes back to East Mundalla Jonty on the sire side.

The lure of quality at the sale also attracted a new local buyer in Dean Trotter, of Perillup Estate, Perillup, who secured the $9250 second top-price, an 18.8-micron Merino with a 99.6 comfort factor.

Mr Trotter was the underbidder on the top-price ram that is now destined to travel east.

With a host of new buying interest, regular buyers were also keen to get in on the bidding action.

Narrogin woolgrower and long-time supporter of the sale, Gerald Saunders, was not taken aback by the increased appreciation of the quality offering when he secured a $8750 Merino followed by another for $3000 in the top order.

East Strathglen Poll Merinos were also in demand with new buying interest.

The first Poll to be offered, a 20-micron, set the benchmark, reaching a top-price of $8000 and selling to return buyer John Jamieson, of West Plains Polls, Delegale, NSW, and in a partnership with new buyer John Dalla, of Orrie Cowie stud, Warooka, South Australia.

Mr Jamieson said East Strathglen is renowned for its white ,crimpy nourished rich wools that have great density. Also back on the Polls was Ron Box, of Northampton, who secured a $5000 one for his efforts.

Strong support came from the volume buyers, including the O’Keefe family of Tambellup, who secured 13 Merinos to a top of $2500 and average price of $2081.

Bidding on behalf of the family, Elders agent Russell McKay said he was selecting for big productive sheep with lots of white, crimpy medium wool.

Also finding volume at the sale was Connamarra Grazing, buying 11 Merinos to a top of $4000 and average price of $2454.