CENTRAL Victorian woolgrower Leigh Harrison compares a modern farm operation with a well-balanced Merino; just as the ability to move with commercial pressures gives greater returns, so does the right genetics provide a balance of sheep meat and wool.
“We have had some tough years but the Merino sheep just continue to outperform,” Mr Harrison said.
Mr Harrison (pictured) manages Greystones, a 4453-hectare Rowsely property on the outskirts of Bacchus Marsh, running 6000 fine Merino sheep alongside 1214ha of cropping.
With the need to justify running Merino sheep on prime cropping country, Mr Harrison has moved his flock towards being a high performance outfit.
Since making the switch to Hazeldean genetics six years ago, Greystones average wool cut has risen by three kilograms to 6.8kg across the flock, as a result of considerable improvements in frame size.
This year the wether portion averaged around $100, with $64 made on the boat and just on $40 a fleece.
“People are still questioning if Merino sheep are profitable – they are if you have the right genetics.”
Run on native pastures under a strictly commercial management approach Mr Harrison said his sheep get no special treatment, but put simply must have the ability to do well.
“They are good doing sheep that put a lot of body into our lambs and have given them a bit more stretch and wool cut.”
For Greystones removing poor performers from the flock is as important as identifying good performers.
All ewes are visually classed for size and wool type before joining into five lines and then matched with rams.
Mr Harrison suspects past drop-offs in performance would not have occurred if nutrition was paid greater attention to.
For the past six years all ewes have been maintained at condition score four before joining and lambing rates have barely fallen below 100pc even in trying seasons of late.
