Marnoo’s top price impact sire

Landmark stud stock, Narrogin, WA, Mitchell Crosby spotted the ram at the Australia Sheep & Wool Show earlier in the year and encouraged client Fred Leo, Leovale, Lake Grace, WA, to make the journey.

Charinga, Banavie and Gowandale Merino and Poll Merino studs co-principal, Tim Polkinghorne had intended to keep the top-priced ram but opted to retain semen shares for the attractive ram.

The Banavie Poll Merino June 2013-drop ram, Majestic 303, had a micron of 20.1, a comfort factor of 99.9 per cent and weighed 132kg.

Mr Crosby said he was selected for his excellent growth with length and depth, covered in an extremely white fleece.

"I liked his structure - he is good in the poll with pure, soft muscle," Mr Crosby said.

"He has white crimpy wool and outstanding cutting."

Majestic continues to attract the attention of other seedstock producers and has had semen sold to several WA studs.

He was chosen as an impact sire for the Leovale stud and was naturally joined at the Lake Grace, WA, property to 210 ewes which lambed 260 in May.

"He is a very fertile ram that has, at this stage, produced some very impressive lambs with good stretchy, long bodies and white crimpy wools," Mr Crosby said.

This year he will be joined to 400 ewes in the artificial insemination program and 200 ewes naturally.

Mr Crosby said the Marnoo Merino breeders were renowned for quality breeding which attracted breeders from across the country.

"The quality of the genetics coming out of the Marnoo area are used everywhere around Australia and overseas," he said.

Which he said met producers need to have a the "full package" ram which produced quality meat and wool.

"Stud breeders put their money in their pockets for a quality ram when the genetics are right which means commercial breeders can improve the overall quality of wool and structure of the Merino sheep," Mr Crosby said.

"It is important to find a ram that is the whole product because wool makes up 50per cent and meat makes the other 50pc of your business.

"Merino is a true dual purpose animal so stud breeders are making sure they are putting the same amount of emphasis on the wool as they do on the meat."