Among his neighbours, sheep grazier Murray Frew feels very fortunate. The fourth generation of his family to graze sheep at Meerlieu, he is preparing for his daughter to succeed him on the farm.
“Georgie was interested in coming onto the farm. She’s completing a six-year apprenticeship,” Mr Frew said.
“The same thing happened when I took over – my father stepped aside so I could do things my way.
“We’re lucky.
“Among my neighbours, no-one’s children have come back to work on the farm. I’m proud Georgie and Mick are keeping the job going.”
Last year, the partnership was formalised between Murray and Julie Frew, their daughter Georgina and her husband Mick Preston. Murray and Julie moved off the farm into nearby Bairnsdale.
We're lucky.
- Murray Frew, Meerlieu
“I come out to work every day,” Mr Frew said.
A flock of 4500 sheep,1500 Merinos and 500 first-cross Merino-Border Leicester ewes, run with 45 Hereford-Red Angus cows.
Merino bloodlines used are Stockton, Bindawarra and Pendarra. First-cross ewes are by Geraldine Border Leicester rams; then joined to Ashley Park Poll Dorset and White Suffolk rams for the second-cross.
“We support local breeders because the wool type is so much better here than anywhere else and there’s been gains in frame through breeding programs,” Mr Frew said.
“I want a large framed sheep with a heavy cutting 19-20 Micron fleece. If you buy your rams under an 18M at 15-months-old, they’re not going to go much out.”
Broadacre dryland grazing pastures are supplemented by 40ha of sown winter wheat and ryegrass and 25ha of sown summer rape and ryegrass. Pasture improvement each year aims to support increased lamb numbers.
“I aim for one lamb from each ewe in an ideal year. In a tough season, the cattle will be the first to go then we start cutting down flock numbers,” Mr Frew said.
He treats all ewes the same and only scans in drought years.
“Whether it’s a twin or single, you’ve still got to look after the ewe – we stock to the numbers,” Mr Frew said.
One lambing annually normally returns 70 per cent lambs out of maiden ewes, 85pc out of Merino ewes and 100pc of prime lambs. In a good season, maiden ewes have lambed down 90pc and older ewes 100pc.
Shearing is in March and lambing occurs May and June. “We lamb then to take advantage of weaning in Spring, with grass ahead of the lambs,” he said.
Maintaining a flock of ewes up to five-years-old means dry ewes are sold from July on and small lambs are sold after classing. The first draft of prime lambs is sold in December and, depending on prices and the season, continues through February and into March. They aim for 50kg weights over-the-hooks. Marketing varies with stock either sold through the Bairnsdale saleyards or out of the paddock.
“Prime lambs in the mix are a no-brainer,” he said.
“Lambing when we do means they’re turned off over summer and the pastures get a rest; and the ewes get a chance to come back into condition before joining again.”
Succession success
LAST year, Georgina and Mick Preston formalised their succession into the farm’s ownership over a six year period.
“Georgie will get most of the farm. The same thing happened when I took over from my father,” Murray Frew said.
For Ms Preston, it was a natural succession and she is enjoying bringing her son up on the farm, working alongside her father and husband.
“I loved sheep work and farming, growing up,” she said. “When school holidays came around, I’d be out working along with dad, crutching and marking.”
Previously a teacher, she has now gained skills in tractor work, direct drilling pastures and spraying weeds; and carting sheep.
“Mick and I have a lot more learning to do in the next few years, before we take over completely,” Ms Preston said.
“Then we’ll continue on like dad does, because that works. We might have some ideas in the future.”
