Merredin Saleyards back in the sheep auction fold

An eastern Wheatbelt saleyards has held its first sheep sale since it was spared from the scrapheap more than two years ago.

About 5800 ewes and wether lambs were penned at the Merredin saleyards on Monday, believed to be the first sale at the facility since 2005, Landmark agent Aaron Caldwell said.

Mr Caldwell said the auction, held by Landmark, attracted multiple interstate buyers who purchased about half of the yarding.

“Now that people have seen what we have to offer, we’d like to make it an annual event,” he said.

“The yards were at the point of getting demolished a few years ago, but myself and a few farmers jumped up and down so it didn’t happen.”

Twenty-four lots were offered at the Merredin-held sheep sale, resulting in a a $159 a head average.

The Button family, of Manunda Stud at Tammin, offered the sale-topping line of 310 Manunda blood 1-1/2-year-old May-shorn ewes purchased by Laurie Fairclough, of York-based Stockdale Farms, for $212 a head.

“It was fantastic — a really great initiative for the Merredin district,” Manunda co-principal Wayne Button said.

“The sale was well-received and a fantastic way to showcase Wheatbelt sheep.”

The saleyard ramps are out of order, meaning Monday’s auction could not sell from the rail and was conducted from the ground.

The Merredin livestock facility is owned by Western Australian Livestock Salesmen’s Association — a Landmark and Elders collaboration.

WALSA advertised to auction the loading pens and saleyards in late 2016, under condition the sale pens were removed from the property.

However, Merredin sheep producers rallied in opposition to the proposal and the infrastructure was retained.