Big four days for wool

WA Merino Week was spread over four days last week, bringing astute sheep producers and industry representatives together to share a common objective.

As most comments on the falling price of wool were shy at best, Primaries wool manager Tim Chapman said there was potential for a price rise later in the year.

Field days were increased to three days this year to provide producers more opportunity to inspect sheep at their convenience.

On Monday, at the Hyfield stud, Kojonup, eight studs showed their best sheep, including a new exhibitor in equine Olympic medallist Sonja Johnson, of Parkiarrup stud, Albany.

The first day also included Woolkabin stud's on-property inspection at Woodanilling and 11 studs displayed at Williams.

Tuesday found 12 studs at the Wickepin Community Centre and three on-property displays close by.

The final day of Merino inspections included the Broomehill, Gnowangerup and Tambellup on-property locations, with Wililoo stud showing at the Katanning Showgrounds.

With many stud sheep on display and destined to Thursday's Katanning Rabobank Sale, for some buyers it was an anxious wait for the new 4.30pm auction start time.

Topping the sale was an East Mundalla ram which sold for $17,000 to the McLagen family, of Eungai stud, Miling.

Other rams sold for an encouraging $15,750 and two at $15,000 with one of the latter going on to be awarded the supreme exhibit of the show.

Shayne Mackin, of Kamballie stud, brought his family's 2012 Wagin Woolorama supreme champion and made a double take by taking out the supreme title at Katanning.

Gaining most points of the show was the Norrish family, of Angenup stud, Kojonup, who added a 15th Rabobank Trophy to their collection over the years with their group of three Merino rams and two ewes.

Angenup also won the Landmark Production Class with its first-ever entry.

Also making a good showing was the Bolt family, of Claypans stud, Corrigin, who had three Poll Merinos among the grand champions with two awarded overall titles.

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