And the third sale topper was another by Nerstane, proving its genetics were in high demand.

The rams were of the 97 that sold at Bendigo, of 125 offered, averaging $5041.

Despite concerns the sale wasn’t matching the same highs as last year, the sale average only fell $515, and clearance rate four per cent.

The sale’s first high was reached early, at Lot 5, an August 2016-drop polled ram sired by Banavie 333, by Nerstane’s Hamish, Jock and John McLaren, Woolbrook, NSW.

Its fleece measured 19.2 micron, 2.7 standard deviation (SD), 14.1 co-efficient of variation (CV), and 99.8pc comfort factor (CF).

Jock McLaren said it was an exciting result to be involved in all three top-priced lots.

The second top price was reached at Lot 33, a ram by Roseville Park’s Matthew and Cherie Coddington, Dubbo, NSW.

Mr Coddington said the ram had impressive figures; its fleece measured 16.8 micron, 2.5 SD, 14.9 CV and 100pc CF.

The ram was sired by Nerstane’s 120231, a ram that Coryule Merino stud purchased for $30,000 in 2015, and Roseville Park bought semen from.

“I saw the ram when he was bought and saw him do very well in the performance class at Sydney, so bought semen from him and embryo transferred to a couple of ewes,” Mr Coddington said.

“He had a really good barrel and constitution.”

Currently in the midst of drought, he said the $20,000 sale would help afford a B-Double load of feed.

“The drought up here is terrible, we’re feeding for the second year in a row, we’ve had three failed crops in a row, and we’re spending $20,000 a week on B-Double loads of grain, so to me this is one load of grain we can get back,” he said.

Lot 5 and 33 were purchased by Wool Solutions’ Andrew Calvert, on behalf of two different buying syndicates.

Nerstane’s ram was bought by Winton Estate, Campbell Town, Tasmania, who will have possession of the ram, and semen partners, Mayfield Estate, Little Swanport, Tas, W&C VonBibra, ‘Beaufront’, Ross, Tas, and DJ&MD Jackson & Co, Kojonup, WA.

Mr Calvert said the ram had long-stapled, free growing fine wool, and a good, upstanding presence.

He said the ram will go in for semen collection within the next two weeks.

“He’s a very good ram, and all the partners involved in the purchase see attributes in that particular sheep that can enhance their breeding programs,” he said.

Roseville Park’s ram was bought by Beverley Merino stud, Redesdale, for their fine medium wool stud, with a semen share going to Conrayn Merino stud, Berridale, NSW.

Mr Calvert said the ram would compliment what the stud is doing and help “waterproof the wool”.

The $20,000 top price was also reached towards the end of the sale, for Lot 116, a ram by Coryule Merino stud, Willowvale.

It was a record price for the stud, doubling its former top price of $10,000, recorded at the Ballarat Merino sale last year, and stud manager Craig Trickey was blown away.

“He’s broad from the head all the way down, you could almost put a saddle on him,” Mr Trickey said.

The ram’s fleece measured 17.8 micron, 2.6 SD, 14.6 CV and 99.9 CF.

It was the first time Coryule had rams “good enough to sell at Bendigo”, with the second of three hitting $12,000, selling to Eilan Donan Merino stud, Elphinstone.

“There seemed to be a lot of interest in our sheep, but you never know how it’s going to go until you’re up there,” he said.

The buyers were another syndicate, Peter Lette, Conrayn Merino stud, Berridale, NSW, Alan McCormack, Walwa Merino stud, Gurrundah, NSW, and Winston and Sue McDonald, Royalla Merino stud, Wallendbeen, NSW.

Mr Lette said the ram was a beautiful package.

“He had a lovely sirey head, a beautiful long staple and a extremely well made carcase,” Mr Lette said.

He said they were pleased with the purchase and were looking forward to getting him out with the ewes.

Other big sales were Coddington Poll’s $15,000 sale of lot 26 to Buerckner & Co, Tungamah, Borambil’s sale of lot 32 for $14,000 to Glenburn Farms, Glendonald’s sale of Lot 44 for $14,000 to Wongara and Meadowview studs, Claypans’ $12,000 sale of lot 109 to Belka Valley Poll Merinos, and Glenlea’s $16,500 sale of lot 114 to Rogara Station.

Elders auctioneer Ross Milne said multi-vendor sales were difficult to quote with a range of rams offered and buyers attending looking for specific rams.

Mr Milne said while the clearance rate was a bit lower, there were nine more rams sold this year than in 2017.

He said there was a bit less money at the top end, but there was “very good buying in the $2000 to $4000 range”.

“For flock producers, that’s really fairly affordable given where the wool price is and has been,” he said.

He said there were still a number of rams sold in the $10,000 and above range as well.