Strategies for Improving your Flock
ADVANCEMENTS in genetic research and technology, coupled with strong competition between local and international markets for meat and wool, have led to greater productivity and profitability for Australian producers.
However, Woodyarrup Merino and Poll Merino Stud Technical Consultant Dr Paul Swan warned that maintaining the same momentum when it came to genetic improvement was becoming increasingly challenging. And with proven maiden ewes selling for over $300 a head, farmers needed to be more vigilant than ever when selecting rams to support a self-sustaining flock.
“There have been some dramatic changes to the Australian flock over the past 20 years with the meat and wool industries successfully squeezing more from every sheep,” Dr Swan said.
“Merinos are now bigger, they grow faster, produce more lambs, and have softer and heavier cutting wool.
“Leading studs like Woodyarrup have driven this change by producing influential rams through careful selection, heavy investment into genetic technologies and participation in extensive research over many years.”
While this change was a great success story for the industry, Dr Swan said to stay ahead of rising production costs, growers needed to look for trait leaders with the makeup and genetics they require to achieve their long-term goals.
“Woodyarrup is an open book and provides growers with all the information they need to make the right decisions including raw data, research findings that prove their rams can perform across many environments and opportunities for visual assessment.”
“Importantly, they also provide consultants like me to assist their customers in understanding the tools, developing strategies, and identifying specific rams that will most suit their needs.
“This level of support is invaluable to growers as although there are many tools available to help them find the best genes for their enterprise, many of these are highly complex and not entirely practical.”
Dr Swan encouraged farmers to determine the direction they wanted to take with their sheep, seek assistance from livestock reps to pinpoint which traits needed fixing, and reach out to Woodyarrup for support in identifying the best genetics to improve their flock.
“It is in Woodyarrup’s best interest to ensure their customers get good results and feel confident in their purchases. Otherwise, all the effort and investment would be wasted,” Dr Swan said.
“I encourage growers who want to increase sheep profitability and sustain it in the long term to attend the open day, book a private viewing or pick up the phone, so we can help them get where they want to go.”
If you are interested in securing leading genetics for your flock, contact Woodyarrup Merino and Poll Merino Stud Principal Craig on 0429 100 239. For more information visit our partner site: woodyarrup.com.au
