WA Merino field days lead off ram-selling season

WA Merino field days lead off the beginning of the State’s ram-selling season, with studs displaying sale rams at several venues in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern. The first of a series of ram inspection days took place on August 13 and 14 at on-farm properties and the Williams Sportsground, before rams were penned up at the Katanning Leisure Centre on August 15 and 16 for the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Sale. Prospective ram buyers and livestock agents were out and about getting a first-hand look at what would be on offer during the ram sales beginning on August 16 at Katanning, with the annual expo sale followed by the bulk of sales in WA’s agricultural regions from September 2-October 17. Woolgrowers were mostly optimistic after late rains turned the tight start of the season around and sheep were beginning to graze on pastures. Returning to WA after an absence of several years, a group of Argentinians made their presence known as serious export buyers after the new government relaxed import restrictions. The overseas visitors were destined to make an impact at the expo that allows for export ram sales via quarantine regulations.