Top muster for Cardiff

Results of the inaugural Merino Wether and Ram Lamb Muster were announced at the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo & Ram Sale last week at Katanning.

The competition, which ran from March 9 to June 25, was an opportunity for Merino sheep producers to enter a minimum of 100 head consignments of pure Merino lambs including wether, ram or ewe lambs.

Judging was over three classes including trade weight (lambs 18.1 to 21kg), export weight (22.1 to 26kg) and consignments of more than 300 lambs.

WAMMCO supply development manager Rob Davidson said there were 25 overall entries with 24 evaluated.

Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA president Steven Bolt announced the winners during last week's expo.

In the trade section, the winner was MPM sheep breeder KJ & RJ Page, of West Pingelly, with second place going to Nyabing producers TR & B Hobley.

Export class was won by Cardiff Pastoral, of Wyalkatchem, while runner-up was Jensen Holdings, of Pingrup, with third to VM & NL Bolt, of Hyden.

In the consignment of more than 300 lambs class, Cardiff Pastoral scored another win, with Chinocup Holdings, of Nyabing in second and James Pastoral, of Hyden, in third.

Of the 4092 lambs in the competition, Mr Davidson said the average carcase weight was 24.08kg and average return was $121 a head.

"The lambs that were the highest scorers mostly were score 2 types and the majority had very good lean meat yield for bonus points," he said.

"In the judging, we were looking for shape on the hindquarter and fullness of loin."