GENETIC advancement by WA Merino breeders has been rewarded with major interest from local, interstate and international buyers.
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The 2016 Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Sale held over two days in Katanning last week reflected the positive outlook for the WA sheep industry, with stud breeders out in force, showing off their latest genetics.
The week climaxed with the sale on Friday, rated as one of the best on record at Katanning, with strong support from both stud and commercial buyers.
It averaged $9323 for the 24 rams sold - the best average in 20 years and the most rams sold in the sale since 2009.
The sale topped at $23,000 for a Poll Merino sire sold by the Gooding family's East Mundalla stud, Tarin Rock.
Three other rams sold for $20,000 or more.
But it wasn't only the sale where buyers were active.
There were some big privately negotiated sales following Merino field days in the Wickepin, Williams and Gnowangerup areas.
The biggest of these was $25,000 for a Westerdale sire which was sold to Argentina.
WA Stud Merino Breeders Association president Steven Bolt said everybody involved should be proud of their efforts.
"The quality that was on display and the outstanding results of the sale really demonstrated the best of what WA breeders can produce," Mr Bolt said.
"It was exciting to have such large numbers of registered local, interstate and international buyers in the sale, as well as support from so many studs during the Expo."
Elders stud stock manager Tim Spicer and Landmark Breeding representative Mitchell Crosby said overall it was a positive week for the Merino industry.
They agreed with Mr Bolt who said the attention from the east, along with sale results, was a reward for the effort breeders had been making to improve their flocks with good genetics over the past five to 10 years.
"The feedback has been positive too," Mr Crosby said.
"It's great to hear that potential buyers are noticing the continuing quality of WA Merinos year-in, year-out."
In the show ring the supreme exhibit went to reigning champion the Norrish family, Angenup stud, Kojonup, with its impressive medium-woolled Merino ram that could not be overlooked by the judges.
The ram was also a high achiever in the sale selling for $20,000.
p For more results from the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo Show and Sale, see the comprehensive review in Sections 1 and 2 of this edition of Farm Weekly.
