Manunda Polls sell to top of $3300

Backing up last year’s record average sale price of $1602, the Button family’s Manunda Poll Merino ram sale was a total clearance, with 270 rams selling to a top of $3300 and an average price of $1471.

The $135/head drop in the average price was not a problem for Manunda stud co-principal Wayne Button, who, understanding the unseasonal conditions around the State, was appreciative of the support for his family’s annual sale.

With 54 registered bidders,, Mr Button hoped most were able to secure their requirements. “The encouragement from our clients was most certainly from the excellent sheep and wool prices throughout the past year, however concern is taking hold now of a shortage of paddock feed, which must be weighing in,” he said.

Seven Oaks North stud co-principal Chris Barnett, of Burracoppin, returned to the sale to secure an 18.7-micron ram sired by Rhamily Benny and going back to a Manunda grandsire.

The ram had a standard deviation of 3.5 and a coefficient of variation figure of 18.9, with a comfort factor of 99.8 per cent and a greasy fleece weight of 121 per cent.

Mr Barnett also paid $2750 for another 18.7-micron ram, with both rams selected for his family’s stud program.

Three rams sold for the $3250 equal second top-price with the first, a 19.1-micron ram penned up as lot two, selling to account Nalyaring & Co, of Brookton, while lot 13 sold to NK & PM Schorer, of Pingelly, and lot 24 sold to MJ & LM Schorer, of Pingelly.

Other stud buyers included Ray Edmonds, of Rhamily stud, Calingiri, who paid $2750 twice for rams off the top line.

Making a bid via phone link, Les Sutherland, of Arra-dale stud, Perenjori, secured a $2500 ram and Arrin Park stud, of Three Springs, paid $2000 for an 18.4-micron ram.

One of the most competitive bidders at the sale was account Innes & Co, of Kellerberrin, securing a total of 10 rams to a top price of $2900 and average price of $2150.

Also pushing prices was GF & S Waters, of Kununoppin, who bought six rams for a top price of $2500, twice, and an average price of $1992.

MA & BJ Szczecinski, of Corrigin, secured 13 rams for an average price of $1700.

Three volume buyers took 15 rams each, including account RS & TJ Menzies, of New Norcia, making a second return to the sale after buying five rams last year at their first Manunda sale.

The Menzies’ average price was $1537, while KJ & RP Siegert, of Wongan Hills, averaged $1606 for 15 rams.

Rod Siegert said he was selecting for big-framed rams with free-growing wools.

Account CB & CA Whitfield & Son, of Wongan Hills, paid an average price of $1353 for 15 rams. Peter Whitfield said he was selecting for low micron with fleece weight for his family’s 4000-head breeding flock.

Greg Tippet, of KL Tippet & Co, Shackleton, bought nine rams for an average price of $1100. “We marked 100 per cent on lambing, off a good season,” he said.

Michael and Kate Morrison, of Three Springs, were enjoying the sale with their children Hettie, 1, Charlie, 6, and Billie-Lea, 8, who were all helping with ram selections.

“We had a great Father’s Day, which continued on our ram buying day out at Manunda,” Mr Morrison said.