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Narrogin Long Wool Day’s 25th anniversary packs the shed with Merinos

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Bob GarnantCountryman
Supporting the Breast Cancer Research Centre through a $600 donation to the Shearing for Liz Pink Day funding are Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA president Allan Hobley and his daughters Sophie, 7, and Isla, 6, and Jumbuck Shearing contractor Tom Reed.
Camera IconSupporting the Breast Cancer Research Centre through a $600 donation to the Shearing for Liz Pink Day funding are Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA president Allan Hobley and his daughters Sophie, 7, and Isla, 6, and Jumbuck Shearing contractor Tom Reed. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

WA Merino stud breeders gathered at the Ram Shed in Narrogin for the 25th anniversary of the Long Wool Day, a premier event that kicks off the State’s ram selling season.

The event, held on August 5, brought a crowd of stud and commercial breeders together to inspect a big number of rams on display from 39 studs.

Ram Shed co-ordinator Ashley Lock said there was a good crowd and everyone was pleased to have a good look at the ram selections.

“There were a few rams that sold by private negotiations,” he said.

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“The quality was at its best throughout the shed.”

Also on hand was some of the top awarded Merinos and Poll Merinos from the Australian Sheep and Wool Show held in Bendigo last month.

Belka Valley stud principals Phil and Robyn Jones, of Bruce Rock displayed their ram named Daniel that was sashed Junior Champion and Grand Champon strong wool ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show last month in Bendigo.
Camera IconBelka Valley stud principals Phil and Robyn Jones, of Bruce Rock displayed their ram named Daniel that was sashed Junior Champion and Grand Champon strong wool ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show last month in Bendigo. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Belka Valley stud principals Phil and Robyn Jones, of Bruce Rock, exhibited their strong wool Poll Merino ram at Narrogin that caught the eye of many visitors.

Their ram, named Daniel, was sashed junior champion and grand champion strong wool ram of the show at Bendigo and will be offered for sale at next week’s Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Ram sale.

Eastville Park stud co-principal Grantly Mullan, of Wickepin, with Rockdale Valley stud co-principal Brendan Maher, of Merreidn, who paid a stud record price of $20,000 for the Eastville Park ram pictured.
Camera IconEastville Park stud co-principal Grantly Mullan, of Wickepin, with Rockdale Valley stud co-principal Brendan Maher, of Merreidn, who paid a stud record price of $20,000 for the Eastville Park ram pictured. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Also finding success, an Eastville Park ram sashed grand champion medium wool ram of the show at Bendigo, was on display at Narrogin with a sold sign.

Stud co-principal Grantly Mullan said the private selling price was a stud record $20,000.

Rockdale Valley stud co-principal Brendan Maher, of Muntadgin, was the buyer.

Mr Maher said the ram’s structure was perfect and came with good wool.

“I use a lot of Eastville Park genetics to help with structure and produce some nice lambs,” he said.

“This ram, sired by Collinsville Gladiator, will represent new outcross genetics for our stud. “

Cardiff stud co-principal Quentin Davies, of Yorkrakine, with Northam woolgrowers Shaun and Glenn Smith who paid a stud record price of $11,000 for a Cardiff ram at the Long Wool Day.
Camera IconCardiff stud co-principal Quentin Davies, of Yorkrakine, with Northam woolgrowers Shaun and Glenn Smith who paid a stud record price of $11,000 for a Cardiff ram at the Long Wool Day. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Northam commercial woolgrower Glenn Smith secured a big framed 20.9 micron Cardiff Merino ram for a stud record price of $11,000 at Narrogin.

“We mate about 4000 ewes in our self-replacing flock and average more than 100 per cent lambing,” he said.

“It is great to visit the Ram Shed and have a good look around each year.”

Commercial producers who attended the Ram Shed said they had confidence in the industry as the good season continues to roll around.

Belka Valley stud co-principal Phil Jones, of Bruce Rock, and Bonnie Rock woolgrower Nick Spark with his son Craig, 17.
Camera IconBelka Valley stud co-principal Phil Jones, of Bruce Rock, and Bonnie Rock woolgrower Nick Spark with his son Craig, 17. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Bonnie Rock sheep breeder Nick Spark said his lot-fed finished lambs off lupin stubble averaged $228/head.

“The future looks good for sheepmeat,” he said.

Badgingarra woolgrower Joe Felber and Nutrien Livestock stud and commercial manager Tom Bowen.
Camera IconBadgingarra woolgrower Joe Felber and Nutrien Livestock stud and commercial manager Tom Bowen. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

Badgingarra woolgrower Joe Felber, who was inspecting rams, said he had confidence in wool sales.

Mr Felber runs a 1800-head self-replacing Merino flock and another 2000 ewes in a cross-breeding program.

Elders stud stock manager Tim Spicer announced a new initiative on behalf of Elders and Nutrien Livestock for the upcoming ram selling season.

He said stud breeders who offered sale rams through the two agents could nominate a charity ram at their sales with the intention of raising funds for the Breast Cancer Research Centre through the Shearing for Liz Pink Day program.

“The Shearing for Liz Day, that shearer Ton Reed and his wife Lucy founded after their dear friend Liz Roberts died from cancer, has raised more than $250,000 for breast cancer research in seven years,” Mr Spicer said.

“We invite stud breeders to consider donating a sale ram to this cause.”

On that note, Elders Gingin agent Graham Curry auctioned two pink shearing hand blades, raising $1250 for cancer research.

Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA president Allan Hobley paid $600 for one handpiece.

“Everyone is affected by cancer, this new initiative is a good cause and great idea,” he said.

“I encourage all studs to support it.”

The other set of blades was secured by Mr Maher for $650, who said it was a good opportunity to give something back to breast cancer research.

Cardiff stud co-principal Quentin Davies said the popular Shearing for Liz Pink Day fund raising event at his family’s woolshed in Yorkrakine would take place on September 10.

Merino field days throughout the Great Southern will take place from August 16 and 17 followed by the Rabobank WA Sheep Expo and Ram Sale on August 18 and 19 where 500 Merinos will be on display.

Coromandel Poll Merino stud co-principal Michael Campbell, of Gairdner, and Elders stud stock agent Nathan King.
Camera IconCoromandel Poll Merino stud co-principal Michael Campbell, of Gairdner, and Elders stud stock agent Nathan King. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Emma Kerr, of Beacon, with Parakeelya Merinos stud co-principal Matt Dunne, of Beacon.
Camera IconEmma Kerr, of Beacon, with Parakeelya Merinos stud co-principal Matt Dunne, of Beacon. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Lewisdale stud principal Ray Lewis, of Wickepin, stud representative John Sherlock, Quairading woolgrowers Bill and Don Handscombe and Dyson Jones wool agent Tim Chapman.
Camera IconLewisdale stud principal Ray Lewis, of Wickepin, stud representative John Sherlock, Quairading woolgrowers Bill and Don Handscombe and Dyson Jones wool agent Tim Chapman. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Claypans Poll Merino stud co-principal Steven Bolt, of Corrigin, and Narrogin woolgrower Murray Saunders.
Camera IconClaypans Poll Merino stud co-principal Steven Bolt, of Corrigin, and Narrogin woolgrower Murray Saunders. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman
Boyup Brook shearer Luke Harding and Jumbuck shearer Gavin Fowler.
Camera IconBoyup Brook shearer Luke Harding and Jumbuck shearer Gavin Fowler. Credit: Bob Garnant/Countryman

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