Katanning aims for saleyard record

Wagin has the big ram and Katanning is claiming the big yard.

The Katanning Shire hopes its new $25 million livestock selling complex, to be finished in three months, will secure a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest undercover saleyard in the southern hemisphere.

Saleyard manager Rod Bushell is looking forward to the opening sale at the new digs on the outskirts of town at the start of next year.

He said the yards would be more pleasant to work at and it would assist with animal welfare standards.

But last week it was the final June Special Invitation Sale at the existing yards, which are more than 60 years old.

Mr Bushell has seen many industry highs and lows at the existing yards.

In 2010 prices set a new bar at the June Special, reaching $159.50 a head.

Last Friday's sale saw a top of $90/head for a line of 435 rising one-year-old wethers.