The Jacksons’ Westerdale Poll Merino ram tops the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Ram Sale at a stud record $41,000

A well-decorated full wool Poll Merino ram offered by the Jackson family of Westerdale Poll Merino stud in McAlinden, sold for a stud record top-price of $41,000 at the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Sale. Overall, the premier ram sale conducted by Elders and Nutrien Livestock and held on August 17 at the Katanning Leisure Centre offered 18 rams with 15 selling for an average price of $11,333, down $1923/head on last year when 16 rams sold for an average price of $13,156. The Westerdale Poll Merino ram was secured by Warralea Poll Merino stud co-principal Jarrod King, of Gairdner, who said he was chasing a well-structured ram to add soft handing qualities to his stud flock. “I liked the ram when it was exhibited at Wagin Woolorama — he has great structure in both the back end and through the top line,” he said. “He is a unique ram that has excellent wool type and carcase.” The 4-tooth 18.8 micron ram was earlier judged grand champion August shorn Poll Merino ram at the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo. Westerdale stud co-principals Craig and Peter Jackson also exhibited the ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo where it was awarded grand champion fine-medium wool ram of the show. The ram was sired by Yarrawonga 961 and it brought the highest price ever achieved by any previous Westerdale ram and was also the most expensive ram that was secured by the King family. The $17,000 second top-priced ram was offered by the Blight family of Seymour Park Poll Merino stud in Highbury, and was secured by repeat buyer Bill Cowan who runs the Crichton Vale stud in Narembeen. Mr Cowan said he was keen on the ram’s “beautiful rich wool” and its “big stretchy deep-bodied frame”. The 19.6 micron Poll Merino ram was sired by Angenup B230 and had a comfort factor of 99.8 per cent. Mr Cowan also paid $15,000 for a Sunny View Poll Merino ram that carried outcross genetics for Crichton Vale. “I liked his fantastic wool type with good staple length and the ram was well-structured,” he said. Other top-selling rams included an Angenup Poll Merino that sold for $15,000 to Winyar Poll Merino stud in NSW through Elders stud stock agent Nathan King. Mr King said his client was looking for a true medium wool with good wool handle to suit his requirements. Also selling for $15,000, a 19.5 micron Mianellup Poll Merino ram was secured by Mullorie Merino stud principal Peter Myer, of South Australia. Mr Myer said the ram had nutritious white wool on a sound body with excellent legs and feet. Elders WA stud stock manager Tim Spicer said the sale offered a quality line-up of rams. “We would like to thank the vendors for supporting the sale — most of the rams made expected values in a challenging year,” he said. “The sale outcome represented how committed WA Merino studs were to lift the industry back up.”