I extend a warm welcome to interstate and overseas visitors that come to inspect the SA merinos this year. Most areas of the State enjoyed a successful start to the season until Spring, and then dry conditions have prevailed for some time. Maximum temperatures during early Summer has meant that surface water has begun to dry up, and conditions throughout the State have become extremely dry.

 

Wool prices have continued to be the shining light, though back slightly on previous highs, with the Eastern Market Indicator only 90-100 cent clean below the high price of last season. Lamb and mutton prices have come back, reflecting the level of the Australian dollar and competition on overseas markets. This has placed merinos in top position as a money earner as you have a wool clip as well as a saleable animal.

 

Many on-property sales continued in a very favourable form with most averages on par or slightly less than the previous 12 month highs, with good clearances.

 

The premier SA Stud Merino and Poll Merino Ram Sale held in conjunction with the Royal Adelaide Show continued to be a leader, culminating in 111 rams being sold for the excellent average of $6,581. Rams were sold to many interstate and overseas buyers, with the Springvale North Stud and the Kamora Netley Park Stud achieving top prices of $26,000 and $25,000 respectively for two young Poll Merino rams.

 

The Royal Adelaide Show featured Poll Merinos as the Rabobank Feature Breed, with entry numbers and quality being of a very high standard. The Merino Schools’ Wethers Competition continued to grow with more entries from schools and certainly interest from students and parents with their numbers swelling greatly on the previous year. Tears in the eyes of one mother whose daughter was part of the winning school’s team showed what this means to the young of today.

 

The Ramsey Brothers - Case IH ‘All Purpose Pen of Two Ram Lambs Championship’ at the Elders SA Stud Merino Expo also increased to 22 teams with the Roemahkita Stud claiming a second win, and becoming proud owners of a second Case IH Scout Utility. One each for Joe and Tracey. Congratulations to them, and a huge ‘thank you’ to Ramsey Brothers and Case IH for the ongoing and generous sponsorship of this event.

 

The 2013 Elders SA Stud Merino Expo in South Australia’s mid-north on Monday 18^th of March with on-property displays, and on Tuesday 19^th of March at Burra Oval with the centralised display will feature 35 Studs, static displays, judging of the Elders SA Merino Field Day Ram of the Year, Elders SA Merino Pair, and the Ramsey Brothers - Case IH All Purpose Pen of Two Ram Lambs Championship.

 

Field Days in July and August at Wudinna on the Eyre Peninsula, Keith in the South East, and Karoonda in the Murray Mallee, along with the Yorke Peninsula sales gives farmers, pastoralists, and interstate visitors a wonderful opportunity to inspect SA merinos.

 

Again, on-property sales will commence in late-July, running through to mid-October offering a number of Stud and commercial rams. The SA Stud Merino and Poll Merino Ram Sale will feature on Friday September the 13^th at 11.00am, offering approximately 120 merino and poll merino rams.

 

On behalf of the Merino SA Management Committee I would like to thank our major sponsor; Elders, and all other valued sponsors for their ongoing support to the industry, and remind and encourage our members to support those who support us.

 

I wish all involved with the sheep industry continued success and a good season in 2013.

 

 

Peter Meyer

President