Katanning sale extra special

A record-breaking $168.50 was paid for 240 two-year-old wethers at the dazzling Primaries-FarmWorks Katanning June Special last Friday.

The Cranmore Park-blood wethers were consigned by LJ and KE McLean of Gibson and their price eclipsed the 2010 record price of $159.50.

Lindsay and Kerry McLean join about 1200 ewes and were represented at the sale by Barry Hutcheson of Primaries Esperance.

The sale-topping September-shorn wethers were bought by Chris Medcalf, of Livestock Shipping Services (LSS), who also bought the second top-priced line of 612 one-year-old wethers at $165.50.

These Woolkabin-blood youngsters were consigned by Brocklesby Grazing Co. of Katanning.

The $146 top-priced ewes were in the FarmWorks catalogue, with Landmark Katanning the buyer of the 299 Dohne ewe lambs that were consigned by Malcolm and Carol Just of Latham, via Paul Gatti of FarmWorks Dalwallinu.

Top price for wethers in the FarmWorks offering was $158, paid for 494 one-year-old Dohne-cross October-shorn wethers consigned by David Nield of Jerramungup. They were purchased by Chris Medcalf of LSS.

FarmWorks auctioneer Chris Hartley said the sheep had presented well in a season that, until now, had been pretty average. The sale was well above expectations.

“It was a fantastic result with tremendous support from exporters and the trade,” he said.

“And graziers were active in the prices that suited them.”

Primaries livestock manager Peter Sheridan shared Chris’ enthusiasm.

“We were very happy with the sale and with the three livestock exporters operating in our catalogue,” he said.

“We were thrilled with the response and very happy with the team effort on the day.”

Primaries auctioneer Jeff Lynn added that it was good to see graziers buying in competition with the live exporters.

FarmWorks was first to sell with a line of 277 Samm wethers from L Dickins and Co. of Pithara fetching $149/head and bought by WAMMCO’s Peter Krupa.

Then LSS bought the Nield wethers, plus 459 one-year-old wethers from JW and CJ Campbell of Borden at $128/head.

Katanning’s Koobelup Pastoral Co. sold 392 one-year-old Wallinar-blood October-shorn wethers for $135/head to Sean Cusack, buying on behalf of Emanuel Exports.

Tarin Rock’s Ken Gray offered 152 one-year-old High Valley-blood May-shorn wethers, bought by LSS at $125/head.

In the FarmWorks ewe offering, a line of 151 Samm ewes consigned by RBY Mouritz and Co. of Hyden fetched $115, bought by Kevin Matthews Family Trust of Kojonup.

The trust bought a total of 849 ewes from the FarmWorks offering.

FarmWorks auctioneer Chris Hartley vacated the rail and Primaries auctioneer Jeff Lynn took over proceedings.

And the first pen he offered fetched the $168.50/head record price for the McLeans, with the next line of 291 two-year-old January-shorn wethers fetching $148.50/head for Fang Pty Ltd of Esperance.

The McLeans also sold 389 one-year-old wethers at $156/head. Emanuel Exports was the successful bidder.

As well as their $165.50 top price, another line of Brocklesby Grazing’s 55 one-year-old wethers fetched $141.50, with Emanuel Exports the buyer.

Katanning’s DJ and KM Smith sold 188 one-year-old September-shorn wethers for $153/head with Wellard’s Murray French the successful bidder.

JR and J Baxter of Katanning sold 183 one-year-old March-shorn wethers for $140, bought by WAMMCO.

RJ and L Wiese and Co. of Narrogin sold 231 for $150/head to LSS, while Penrose Partners of Cascades sold 430 one-year-old February-shorn wethers for $139/head to Wellard.

BG and BM Taylor of Tambellup sold 220 one-year-old November-shorn wethers for $136 to Emanuel Exports.

Landmark York’s Jim Millar bought several lines of wethers on behalf of graziers, as did Colin Willey of Elders Beverley.