Cracking sale for Woodyarrup

But it was the Eastern States black and white team that Woodyarrup stud principal Craig Dewar referred to in his sale opening address, likening the stud to that of Collingwood's 2010 AFL premiership coach Mick Malthouse's quote 'Planning for the success of this day starts years prior'.

"This is the case here at Woodyarrup, we have a firm game plan and vision that will deliver us and all users of Woodyarrup genetics profitable success in the future," Craig said.

"This year's team typifies the breeding direction of the stud and that will only get better year by year."

Sadly, the severity of the season in some parts saw some buyers cancel their ram requirements all together.

But despite the spiralling season seeing no immediate reprieve, buyers from all corners of the State's agricultural belt demonstrated their game plan of sustaining and improving their Merino ewe flocks.

Spirited bidding from start to finish combined with strong support from the Elders network saw a 92 per cent clearance under the hammer to average $1372 and marking a $72 improvement on last year's overall average.

Broken down only two of the 139 Merino rams were passed in and averaged $1448, a remarkable $135 lift on the 2009 $1313 average.

The Poll Merino team found the going a little tougher compared to last year with 30 of the 42 rams sold to average $1027 however a majority of these were snapped up soon after the sale.

Quentin Davies, Cardiff stud, Yorkrakine, who is an annual buyer of Woodyarrup's top sires returned to secure the sale's $8800 top price ram against stiff competition from losing bidder the Mianelup stud, Gnowangerup.

The ram was the first of the non-regulation shorn team and was by AI sire HOW - 5.16 and from the Woodyarrup stud's Gold Wool ewe family.

The 111kg ram displayed September tests of 18.8 micron, 3.3 SD, 17.5 CV and 99.7 per cent CF.

The Hobley family's Wiringa Park stud, Nyabing, have successfully used Woodyarrup genetics extensively throughout its Merino stud and will continue this trend with the purchase of the sale's $6000 second top price ram.

The huge August-September drop sire penned at lot one weighing 141kg was AI bred by 062337 and from the Gold Frame ewe family.

It recorded September tests of 19.2 micron, 2.9 SD, 15.1 CV and 99.7pc CF.

Another stud to invest in new sires was the Griffiths family's Canowie Fields stud, Gairdner, paying to $5200 for two rams.

The 112kg ram AI bred by 252657 and out of the Gold Frame family tested 19.5 micron, 2.8 SD, 14.4 CV and 99.6pc CF..

These included Darkan graziers P Doudle & Co who paid $3200 for their single March shorn Merino ram purchase, RJ Goodier & Co, Merredin, bid to $2600 and outlaid a healthy $1900 average for four Merino rams while Beacon producers GC & HJ Shemeld & Co paid $2000 twice on their way to securing five rams.