Sale top $17,000 for East Mundalla

A $17,000 ram from Philip and Daniel Gooding's East Mundalla Merino stud near Lake Grace topped the Rabobank Katanning ram sale last Thursday.

It was the first time the Goodings had sold a ram in the sale which was held at a later time of 4.30pm.

While a review of the outcome of the later start time is being held, there is no doubt there was plenty of interest in the rams.

This year, 16 studs offered 30 rams, 20 of which sold under the hammer for an average of $7300, and another ram sold after the sale.

The result was well up on last year when 16 out of 23 rams sold to a top of $16,000 and an average of $4403.

What attracted most interest was the 129.5kg grand champion March-shorn Merino ram sired by East Mundalla Jonty, the 2011 supreme exhibit at Bendigo, Wagin and Williams.

Described by auctioneer Dennis Roberts as "a beautiful sire", the Jonty son's figures included 20.2 micron fleece, 73.9 per cent yield, 3.4 standard deviation, and 99.6 comfort factor.

Elders stud stock representative Kevin Broad bought the ram under instruction from Peter and James McLagan, of Eungai stud, Miling.

Mr Broad said the northern Wheatbelt stud was looking for a fine, two-tooth sire for hybrid vigour and the East Mundalla ram fitted the bill.

The Goodings purchased the shining star of the show judging, Shayne Mackin's entry from Tammin, a Kamballie strong wool Merino ram sashed supreme exhibit and selling for $15,000.

The Kamballie ram was described by Mr Roberts during the sale as the ram every stud breeder wanted.

The second top-priced ram was sold in the Landmark catalogue for Ray and Rhonda Edmonds, of Rhamily stud, Calingiri.

The 1 1/2 -year-old ram was sashed junior champion ram and sold for $15,750 to Manunda and Kamballie studs.

A Woodyarrup ram, with an impressive staple, also sold for $15,000 and was purchased by Mr Broad, for Quindanning studs Barooga and Sunny Valley.

Elders and Landmark auctioneers said vendors and buyers should be congratulated for their confidence in the market but some rams were overlooked.