Dual-purpose Merino sheep have established their place in Australia, with the best breeders successfully combining meat and wool genetics.
The dual-purpose breed is well represented among the six studs offering 167 rams at the Gippsland Merino Stud Breeders annual sale on Tuesday, September 6, at Bairnsdale aerodrome.
Five of the six studs produce rams with heavy cutting fine micron fleeces; one focuses on superfine wool.
“For those who have attended the sale before, it will be no surprise to see the quality of the offering,” said Elders wool manager, Mal Nicholls.
The rams on offer will display lots of soft handling, crimpy wool on well-structured sheep, rams that can go directly into joining.
“The growth rates and fertility of rams from these studs is great and their ability to perform in a variety of climates is well proven,” Mr Nicholls said.
“The Gippsland Merino, already a productive sheep, is now bigger but plainer framed, cutting great amounts of soft, crimpy white wool; the traits they are best known for.
“Producing more kilograms of wool per sheep, with high fertility and turning off an animal that yields well as dressed weight, have been the goal posts breeders have aimed for in recent years.
“Buyers can relax in the knowledge that if a ram they choose sells above their limit, there will be another available to satisfy their requirements,” he said.
“The even-ness of the rams makes it easy to put together a draft of sires to move your breeding in the right direction.”
While Elders facilitates the sale, livestock agents throughout Gippsland can assist with inspections before and on September 6.
Pendarra and Pendarra Polls will offer 68 rams, displaying great growth rates and excellent wool on well-sprung frames. Principal Kelvin Pendergast adds his experience as a shearer and wool classer to his breeding regime, turning off a true-type dual-purpose Merino.
Pendarra recently sold five poll and five horn rams at Hamilton Sheepvention. The poll rams topped $6750 and averaged $3600; the horn rams topped $3250, average $3000. Bindawarra is offering 47 rams, including poll sires. Steve Harrison has met the request of clients to offer a poll option. “We were actively buying ewes at Southrose dispersal sale. Horn rams are still our bread and butter, but there’s a growing market for poll rams,” Mr Harrison said.
“We’ve been breeding heavier weights this year and the wool type is true with a long staple.”
Alan Stewart, Stockton Merino Stud, sold a poll ram at the top price on sale day last year.
With 24 rams on offer, Stockton’s focus remains on producing grown rams with long stapled white crimpy wool, cutting heavy fleeces.
Bert and Brendan Ah Sam will offer 12 Round Hill rams, with a focus on fleece weight.
“We’ve been cutting 6+kg off two-year-old ewes and 8-9kg fleeces from wethers,” said Brendan Ah Sam.
The Langdene bloodline dominates the line of 10 rams on offer from The Fringe. Principal John Freeman said the infusion was adding size to his flock.
“The size and spring of rib, broad chest and flanks are adding to the amount of long stapled, free growing wool our sheep can grow,” he said.
Superfine growers will have a choice, with eight Nicholson River rams on offer. Principal Hugh Pemberton said the focus on bare breech and worm resistance had balanced well against the continued need to grow free flowing white wool.