Annual Ram Sale
The Australian Merino sheep industry started on the east coast of Australia and spread quickly right across the country. Settlers in Western Australia discovered that the southern part of the state was ideally suited to the breeding of high quality Merinos and the industry blossomed. As the quality of WA’s stud stock grew, sales of stud rams and ewes became more organised. The first organised stud sheep sale in the district was held in 1917 in conjunction with the annual Katanning Show. It wasn’t long before the Great Southern Merino Sheep Breeders organisation was set up and began holding its annual sales in its own right, on separate days to the Annual Show. The annual Katanning Ram Sale is one of the most prestigious livestock sales in Australia. It showcases the high quality of Australian Merino Rams bred in the district and has done so since its inception in 1917, when the ram sale was introduced as part of the annual Katanning Agricultural Show.
THE FIRST THREE YEARS
Annual Ram Sale
KATANNING STUD STOCK SALE
Great Southern Herald
7 November 1917 – P2
Farmers’ Mercantile Union and Chaff Mills Ltd., writing under date November 3, report as follows: This being the first annual sale of stud sheep held in conjunction with the Katanning Agricultural Society’s annual show, considerable interest, was taken by a good attendance of sheep breeders, and although the entries were not numerous as might have been desired, competition was very keen for some very classy sheep, particularly those, bred by some of the State’s best known breeders.
One of Mr. Ross Anderson’s “Illareen” stud rams made 30 guineas and two other rams from the same stock 12 ½ and 16 ½ guineas respectively. A nice quality 6-tooth ram bred by J. W. Broun, and sold on account of J. R. L. Brinkley, realised 22 ½ guineas. These were the highest prices ruling, but the!4′ following owners sold rams at from 2 ¾ to 8 guineas.
P. K. Crossley, W. A. Newbey, A. E. Piesse, Rowan & McCrae, and F. B. Quartermaine. Stud ewes on account of W. A. Newbey, 5 guineas, G. E. House, 2 ¾ guineas and W. A. Beeck 2 guineas mad a most successful sale and further added to this district’s reputation as the foremost sheep breeding district in Western Australia.
ANNUAL STUD STOCK SALE
AT KATANNING.
Great Southern Herald
25 September 1918 – P3
As a sheep-raising country the Great Southern district will demonstrate its ability in that respect next Tuesday and Wednesday, when a record entry of stud and other stock will be dealt with under the hammer. The idea of holding annual stud stock sales in Katanning was inaugurated last November by the Farmers’ Mercantile Union and Chaff Mills, Ltd., when, although the number of stock dealt with was not very large, the promoters had every reason to feel gratified at the result achieved.
This year the Farmers’ Mercantile, Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., and Henry Wills and Co., will each and separately submit lines of stud sheep, when a total of over 1,800 sheep will be yarded. On the following day, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. promptly, the three above-mentioned firms will act in conjunction, under instructions from Messrs. Holly and Anderson, and F. and C. Piesse, and conduct a special sale of over 9,000 sheep. The sheep include some of the best-known lines from the leading breeders of the Great Southern. The stock will be drafted and sold in lots to suit buyers, and complete trucking arrangements have been made. The wielders of the hammer will be Messrs W. G. Drew and S. G. Royce.
It has been decided that such a big event should not be allowed to pass without some thought of our boys at the front, and with that end in view, a charge for admission to the ground on Tuesday will be made, the proceeds of which will be devoted to patriotic funds.
The needs of the inner man will also be catered for in the form of luncheon and refreshments. A number of ladies will be in attendance at the ground and will conduct the refreshment, afternoon tea and other stalls.
KATANNING STUD SHEEP SALE
Great Southern Herald
11 October 1919 – P1
The brokers, Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., and Henry Wills and Co., report the following sales of stud sheep at the Great Southern Sheepbreeders’ Association sale held on September 30th.
On account of:
Ross Anderson, by Dalgety rams at each 200 guineas. 45, 43, 40, 15, 17 16, 15, 2 at 7, 6 at 16. By Wills, 200, 100, 56, 45, 31, 20, 2 at 19.
Cliff Anderson, by Dalgety, 1 at 80, 2 at 9, 1 at 8, 13 at 6, 8 at 5. By Wills, 2 at 9, 10 at 4.
T. E. Richardson, by Dalgety, 75, 32½, 31, 29, 2 at 20, 27½, 18, 12½, 12, 11½. By Wills, 45 ewes at 2½.
F. S. Thompson, by Dalgety, 50, 20, 15, 47 at 8, 11 at 5½, 31 at 4½. By Wills, 80 ewes at 1½.
A. E. Piesse, by Dalgety, 25, 20, 18½, 12, 2 at 8, 3 at 7½, 5 at 7, 1 at 5½, 6 at 5, 28 at 4. By Wills, 14½, 13, 12½, 12, 11, 10½, 3 at 9, 4 at 8, 53 at 5, 24 at 4, 75 ewes at 2½,150 ewes 2¼.
H. V. Piesse, by Dalgety, 3 at 7. By Wills, 5 at 5, 16 at 4.
R. J. N. Richardson, by Dalgety, 2 at 6, 2 at 5, 8 at 3, 10 ewes at l½. By Wills, 2 at 8, 21 at 3.
A. R. and E. H, Richardson, by Dalgety. 6 at 3, 2 at 4, 6 at 2½. By Wills, 1 at 8.
T. Anderson, by Dalgety, 39 ewes at 2%. By Wills, rams at 15M, 14, 12, 11.
G. L. Hardie, by Dalgety, 2 at 6. By Wills, 43, 33, 2 at 8, 25 ewes at 1.
Other Sales
By Dalgety and Co., Ltd., on account of:
David Stewart, rams at each, 56 guineas, 47½, 2 at 4, 22 at 3¾, 20 at 3.
Messrs. N. and W. Higham, 28, 16.
J. R. L. Brinkley, 20, 8 at 4.
James Blechynden, 45.
Messrs. Murray Bros., 2 at 10, 4 at 8, 1 at 7.
Messrs. Connor, Doherty, and Durack. 60, 50, 35, 30.
Estate of W. C. Ball, 10, 6¼. 2 at 5¾, 4 at 5, 9 at 5¾, 10 at 3½.
Oliver Crane, 12, 2 at 6, 6 at 5.
O. P. Richardson, 7, 16 at 2½.
G. Wickham, 45 at 2, 22 at 1.
P. W. Dent, 20 ewes at 2.
By Henry Wills and Co., on account of:
W. J. Philp, 4, 20 at 3.
A. T. Birt, 21, 20, 19, 17, 2 at 13, 1 at 11,
E. P. H. Birt, 1 at 7, 7 at 5.
W. L. Holly, 6 at 1½.
A. B. Stone, 1 at 8.
J. F. Harvey, 1 at 3.
Alex. Ball, 1 at 37, 17, 21, 13, 11,11, 5 at 5, 10 at 3.
W. A. Newbey, 1 at 21, 15, 12, 2 at 9, 2 at 8, 5 at 5½, 7 at 4 ½, 6 at 4, 14 at 3¼.
F. O’Meehan, 1 at 14, 7.
EXHIBITS AT THE KATANNING SHOW
STOCK.
Great Southern Herald
5 November 1919 – P4
Mr. J. W. Broun, who again acted in the capacity of judge of the merino sections, expressed his appreciation of the fine display of sheep, which he stated was the best he had seen. Mr. Broun pointed out that one only, of all the sheep shown, was not bred locally, that being a ram imported by Mr. Dan Beard, the others being from within the district.
In speaking of the wool exhibit, Mr. Broun said the wool showed character equal to the best grown in the Commonwealth, and it would be a matter of a few years only before sheep from this State were being purchased by Eastern stud-masters to improve their flocks.
The championships were awarded:
For best ram in show and best W.A. bred ram exhibited to a strong wool ram bred and exhibited by Mr. Ross Anderson, and for best ewe in show and best W.A. bred ewe to a ewe bred and exhibited, by Mr. Frank Thompson. Mr. T. E. Richardson was successful in winning the splendid prize donated by Messrs. Henry Wills and Co. to the exhibitor gaining the greatest number of points in the merino sheep section, whilst the Quibell Cup, for best merino ram, the property of owners of not more than 1,700 sheep, including lambs, was won by Mr. G. L. Hardie. This cup has to he won three times by the same exhibitor. The cup was donated by Quibell’s Ltd., through their agents, Dalgety and Co. Ltd., in 1913, and has not been won so far by any breeder three times, but Mr. G. L. Hardie and Mr. T. E. Richardson have won it twice each.
Annual Ram Sale
EVOLUTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN MERINO
The Australian Merino is not a single homogenous breed but a number of ‘strains’ of sheep all of which, regardless of their origins, are uniquely Australian. The major factor determining the Merino’s development has been the requirement for environmental suitability. Very few, if any, domestic animals in this or any other country have shown such resilience or responded with such versatility and success to Australia’s enormous variations in climatic conditions, management and husbandry techniques. By skilful breeding and selection, the pioneer breeders set down the foundation of the Australian Merino.
Today, modern technology plays an integral role in future decision-making. Objective measurements are being provided by stud breeders which, when combined with subjective appraisal, help identify an animal’s genetic traits. Reliable DNA tests are fast becoming a reality, and with semen insemination and embryo transfer now a routine procedure, future extensions of these techniques include sexed semen and production of invitro fertilized embryos developed from eggs taken from young lambs. Continue reading
Annual Ram Sale. Annual Ram Sale.