The annual shearing and fleece results from the Merino wether production trial, run by the Gippsland Sheep Breeders Association, were announced last Friday, with some close results.
The wether production trial, running five wethers from a number of commercial flocks together all year round, seeks to compare and benchmark breeding and farming practices.
The flock runs on dryland improved pasture at Stratford. It was affected by Barber’s Pole worm in early autumn, with six wethers dead.
However, the fleeces in general showed strong tensile strength across the group.
“The tensile strength of the fibre was generally very good and few sheep showed the effects of Barber’s Pole,” said judge Peter Arbuckle, Landmark.
It was almost the end of the day before the winner became obvious, although to many an eye the best fleece was chosen while still on the wether.
Russell and Marg Bennett, of Everton in North East Victoria, won the most valuable fleece for the second year in a row – an 18 micron 7.8kg fleece with 82.4 per cent yield, priced at 1510c/kg clean, valued at a whopping $91.98. Of the five Bennett wethers in the trial, the average fleece value was $77.51.
The Bennetts use Bogo, Toland and Rocky Point bloodlines, joining 650 breeding ewes; their flock size reduced in recent years because of ongoing drought. This year’s winning fleece was from a wether sired by a Bogo Merino ram; it was the same wether whose fleece was most valuable and heaviest last year.
“Its weight for its micron has been good. Its very good colour and style has contributed to its value,” Mr Bennett said. “There were some very good fleeces here today but luck and the extra weight contributed to the win. I use that Bogo ram twice a year and I’ll definitely use him again.”
Its very good colour and style has contributed to its value.
- Russell Bennett, woolgrower
Second-placed was St Katharine’s Darriman, for an average fleece value of $73.57; narrowly ahead of Garry and Kaye Davidson, Walpa, in third place with average $73.45.
Trent Anderson, St Katharine’s, was very pleased with the placing.
“When we started we were third-last in the placings and we stayed there for a long time. Getting up to second has been a long and rewarding experience,” he said.
