Special result for Tambellup stud

A standout line of 425 Merino ewes from Allawah Grazing made a top of $98 per head at the Landmark special ewe sale in Katanning last week.

Landmark auctioneer Mark Warren said the result across the sale was above expectations.

"The quality of the yarding was excellent for this time of year and the larger framed better quality sheep sold to a premium," he said.

The sale was strongly supported by the Landmark network and by buyers from Mt Barker to Boyup Brook, Dumbleyung and Lake Grace. "The market was up $10 to $15 on the better sheep, whereas medium weights sold to value," Mr Warren said.

Brett Green and his father, Bob, from Allawah Grazing in Tambellup, were on hand to watch their two-year-old ewes sell.

The Greens consistently produce high quality ewes that attract strong demand at the special sales.

Last year, their ewes made $154/head but with the current market conditions, Brett Green thought they would be lucky to get $77/head.

"It went well and truly over my expectations," he said.

When asked the secret to ewe production, Mr Green said the size and quality was a result of using Willemenup genetics, coupled with good management.

The ewes were purchased by Katanning farmer Chris Quartermaine, who said his family had purchased Allawah ewes in the past.

The July-shorn line will be mated to Shirlee Downs Poll Dorsets.

"We are chasing frame and size and the wool is a bonus," Mr Quartermaine said.

The second top price of the sale was $86.50/head, paid for a line of 289 1.5-year-old February-shorn Merino ewes from WP Dolan and Co, purchased by KW & CR Frost.

The sale also included the final sheep dispersal for Kojonup farmer Wills Norris.

Mr Norris and his wife, Christine, have farmed for 45 years and have leased their farm out. Using Brickhouse genetics, their 1.5-year-old ewes made $80/head, 2.5-year-olds $70.50/head, 3.5-year-olds $69.50/head and 4.5-year-olds $65.50/head.

Across the sale, 1.5-year-old ewes made $34.50 to $86.50/head, 2.5-year-old ewes $35 to $70.50/head, 2.5 to 3.5-year-old ewes $73/head, 3.5 to 4.5-year-old ewes $50 to $69/head, 4.5-year-old $65/head and 5.5-year-old ewes $47 to $71/head. The sale included six lines of Merino wether lambs selling for $32 to $45/head.

Livestock Shipping Services purchased one line, with the remaining brought by graziers.

Sale Results *

_Offered: _ 10,578

_Top: _ $98/head

_Average: _ $58.64/head