It was a cracking result for the stud with 150 rams averaging $2766.

Landmark’s Dubbo-based north-east divisional wool manager David Hart said the marked improvement in ram prices was in recognition of a buoyant mutton, lamb and wool market.

“People are starting to get some decent income after a number of tough years,” he said.

Mr Hart said producers were now re-investing their increased income in improving the genetics of their flocks.

“It’s a vote of confidence in the two industries.”

He said some of the leading studs in the region were showing some excellent results with their sales.

The Lachlan Merino sale at Forbes sold 84 rams which averaged $3122 while Yarrawonga Merinos stud at Harden sold 122 rams for an average of about $2750.

Mr Hart the National Merino sale held in Dubbo last month had also been a strong indicator of an industry willing to re-invest in its genetics, however its result did not compare with, for example the Roseville Park sale.

Elders Limited’s NSW studstock sheep manager Bevan Jolly is also spending more time in the car travelling from sale to sale and is seeing the same trends.

“It’s telling me there is a lot more confidence and predictability in the (wool and meat) industry,” he said.

“It’s been enormous.”

Mr Jolly said with a significant number

of flocks in the region yet to shear their sheep, he expects the economic boost will flow right through regional centres like Dubbo.

“At the moment they (the producers) are spending their money on rams, which is good for me.”

However he predicted the flow on would turn into car and home goods sales as

families who were back in a positive cash flow state and with the promise of good returns will update their possessions.

Also performing well have been

meat breed ram sales, with many studs finding their overall price average was climbing by $400 to $500 compared with last year.