How Suffolks suit a high-density operation on just 50 hectares

Mr Sutherland is the principal of his family-run stud operation, Sayla Park Suffolks, just outside of Kilmore at Willowmavin.

This year he entered into his first embryo transfer program, aimed at enhancing the genetic benefits of his flock.

As a contract agent for Elders and an auctioneer at the weekly Bendigo sheep sales, he is in tune with industry demands and said Suffolks ticked many desired attributes for buyers on sale day.

"They're a hardy breed," he said.

"Suffolks are consistent, they have good lambing ease and phenomenal structure."

Sayla Park is described as a high-intensity operation which breeds about 65 rams a year for private treaty.

The property is 50 hectares and is part of the reason why the Sutherlands chose to establish the stud operation eight years ago.

"When we bought the place, we knew it was too small to run a commercial operation that was viable," Mr Sutherland said.

"We identified Suffolk sheep as an ideal breed to run in an intense operation, particularly because they handle the cooler climate and wet winters and springs well, although they have been few and far between."

A mixture of pastures including brassica in the summer and barley or Italian rice for winter feed is grown year-round to help manage the dense numbers.

This year, the family joined 210 ewes, including 60 ewe lambs, and entered into their first embryo transfer program using 13 of the stud's best donor ewes.

The program resulted in 119 embryos which were implanted into their second grade Suffolk ewes.

Mr Sutherland said the donors were selected from the flock by focusing on several traits.

"Eating quality was high up there which results back to intramuscular fat for positive fat and muscle and the overall structure of the animal was very important too," he said.

Two of the ewes used were purchased in January earlier this year from the Donnan family's Kerangie Suffolk stud dispersal sale at Woomelang.

One of the donors included the top-priced mature ewe at the sale at $6200.

"Both of these ewes had beautiful IMF numbers and their eating quality along with their lambing ease and structure was outstanding," Mr Sutherland said.

"We're trying to upgrade the flock to really maximise the genetics and quality of those top-end ewes and we're hoping to see some high quality sheep come to the front after the ewes lamb in August."

The stud has had promising success at a number of agricultural shows, including Adelaide, SA, and the ASWS.

This year Mr Sutherland plans to enter about eight sheep for exhibition.