$3.3m ewe trial launched

The Elders Balmoral sire evaluation trial had its annual field day last Friday at Wando Vale, near Casterton, and at Edenhope.

The Ewe Lifetime Productivity Trial is a $3.3 million, 9-year investment, by the Australia Wool Innovation (AWI) and Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA).

Trial committee chairman Tom Silcock, Balmoral, said the new trial would analyse ewes bred in the sire evaluation trial throughout their productive lifespan – comparing their early genetics against mature genetics.

"Our industry is at risk by being hijacked by immature measurements," Mr Silcock said.

"We measure sheep at a young age as an indication of what they'll do for the rest of their life but we don't put that to the test because we can't.

"People buy rams that are put to work before they are even mature and measurements are conducted pre-maturing so this trial will give an indication of what their adult analysis would be compared to those immature measurements."

Mr Silcock said there was a lack of sufficient whole of lifetime data across both fleece and reproduction traits within the Merino industry which this trial would address.

The Balmoral trial is the first site to kick-start the ambitious nine-year project that plans to generate 3,800 ewe progeny from 120 sires across four sites around Australia.

Mr Silcock said they were using this year as a pilot to the project, joining each of the 24 rams to 90 ewes at Tuloona Pastoral, Harrow.

More than 130 people attended the Balmoral sire evaluation day to view the results of 2013 and 2014-drop progeny from 38 of Australia's leading sires suited to fine wool production in Western Victoria from Victoria, WA, NSW and SA.

"The traditional way of farming is really being challenged, with the use of DNA, Pedigree Match Maker, automatic paddock Walk over Weighing (WOW), plus other cutting edge concepts in the wind like virtual fencing, tags that communicate to each other, auto drafting linked to the WOW system and possibly even utilising sexed semen in our AI programs – the technological developments each year are impressive," Mr Silcock said.