TOP SIRE 2024–2025 Annual Publication of NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association CELEBRATING OF NSW SMBA years SPECIAL EDITION SIRES HALL OF FAME
STUD STOCK GOING FURTHER FOR Our Services: On Property Sales Specialists Marketing Advice Sire Selection Semen Sales Leading Auctioneers Sheep Specialists Sheep Classing Breeding Advisory Access to Export Markets Market Insights New South Wales Brad Wilson 0417 467 911 Rick Power 0437 131 925 Victoria Nick Farley 0427 529 335 Stephen Chalmers 0427 908 831 South Australia Gordon Wood 0408 813 215 Western Australia Mitch Crosby 0438 918 992 Our Network:
Welcome – NSW President’s Message 3 New Members 7 2024 Merino Calendar Updates 9 Industry News 11 Merinos on Farm 30 Hall of Fame 37 Vale 59 Show and Sale Results 75 Field Days 111 Flock Ewe Competitions 117 NSW SMBA Trust 144 NSW Merino Stud Directory 146 NSW Contact Index 157 Advertisers Directory 160 CONTENTS NSW STUD MERINO BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION LTD Executive Officer: Rebecca Cooper A: PO Box 6227 Dubbo West NSW 2830 P: 02 9763 2744 M: 0431 876 485 E: office@merinonsw.com.au W: merinonsw.com.au President: Hamish McLaren P: 02 6777 5881 M: 0429 772 778 Snr Vice President: Justin Campbell Vice President: Malcolm Cox Treasurer: Tony Gall Councillors: G.J. Alcock H.B. Armstrong J.R. Barron M.W. Bazeley J.M. Bensley A.D. Beveridge J.A. Campbell R.T. Chalker D. Chapman M.J. Coddington M.K. Corkhill G. Cox J.A. Cox M.B. Cox P.B. Davis Life Governors: W.T. Armstrong S.D. Beveridge OAM L.R. Blanch W.J. Ferguson K.W.N. Henderson P.J.R. Hughes R.J. Lindsay J.G. McLaren R.D.M. McCully The opinions expressed in contributed copy in this publication are those of the contributor, not necessarily the Association. All information contained in this publication was correct at time of printing. The publisher takes no responsibility for any errors that may occur. For additional copies, contact NSW SMBA – 02 9763 2744. Cover Image: Rachael Lenehan Photography M: 0402 374 424 W: rachaellenehanphotography.com.au Taken For: Women Behind Wool W: womenbehindwool.com.au J.R. Derrick A. Frost A.D. Gall R. Jones R.E. Kent G.K. Kopp P.A. Lette Y.G. McKenzie A.J. Maclean H.McLaren G.N. Merriman C.Munro A.M. Rayner O.M. Rayner I.G. Marwedel C.T. Merriman W.B. Merriman T.J. Moxham G.J. Privett P.S. Vickery G.Wells R.W. Wells OAM
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 NSW PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE WELCOME TO THE 2024–2025 NSW SMBA TOP SIRE A heavy cloud hangs over our industry following the disgraceful decision by the Federal Labor Government to phase out live sheep exports by sea by 2028. The announcement by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt in Perth in May (with strong rumours that Labor had done a deal with the Animal Justice Party) is setting a dangerous precedent for the whole agricultural industry. In making this announcement, Senator Watt is ignoring the complexity of the Australian sheep farming supply chain and shows complete ignorance to the interests of all Australian farmers. Our Western Australian counterparts have been heavily involved in the #keepthesheep campaign with a huge rally in Perth. NSW Stud Merinos Breeders’ Association (NSW SMBA) stands with all sheep producers who will be affected by this ban and continues to support the fight to overturn this appalling decision that is only trying to get hold of extra votes in inner city Sydney and Melbourne. Remember, if we make enough noise and contact the right people we can make a difference for our industry. Look at another shocking attempt of pulling the wool over Australian agriculture’s eyes by way of their Biosecurity Levy (or tax). Common sense has prevailed – it looks like Labor won’t have support in the Senate and it won’t even be put up now. With this year’s WoolPoll fast approaching, I urge every member to take the time to vote and use this opportunity to ensure there is plenty of ongoing investment to promote our wonderful fibre to the global market. A well-funded and resourced industry will ensure we can keep these top marketing people engaged and continue to take our industry forward. Remember, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) is our company and the elected directors do what we want with the funds available, which means not only marketing but defending our fibre against the likes of the European Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, ensuring consumers receive credible information and prevent the introduction of inaccurate and poor environmental scores for natural fibres, including wool, on clothing labels across the European Union. In more positive news, NSW SMBA has continued to work hard to support youth development in our industry over the past year. We are proud to have supported Jack Kelly in attending the bi-annual Breeding Leadership course in South Australia earlier this year, fostering personal leadership, strategic planning and networking with like-minded individuals of our industry. The future members of our industry have also been supported by NSW SMBA through our sponsorship of the Dubbo School Wether Challenge, RAS/Ag Shows NSW Merino Sheep Young Judges, Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship Junior Judging Competition and the Holbrook Sheep and Wool Fair. NSW SMBA is proud to have extended sponsorship to all flock ewe competitions across New South Wales during 2024 for the first time. A total of 18 competitions were sponsored, including two regional championships and the inaugural competition at Cootamundra. A special partnership between NSW SMBA, XytoVet and Coopers/ Allflex allowed us to offer all flock ewe competition entrants the chance to access genomic flock profiles. We hope this will provide valuable feedback for commercial breeders and foster important conversations with their ram breeders to ensure they are able to unlock the full potential of their Merino flock. Feedback from members, competition organisers and competitors has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to continuing this partnership in future years. – 3 –
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 NSW PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE These results will be very interesting and we hope it will be another tool in the box to enhance these great competitions and, more importantly, the overall profitability in our commercial clients’ flocks. NSW SMBA will be hosting the first workshop to discuss flock profile results and how this data can be used along with our sponsors and service providers at the Dubbo National Merino Show in August, where the inaugural NSW Flock Ewe Competition Championship will also be held. The NSW SMBA Trust continues to provide financial support for research and educational programs in New South Wales. Scholarships have been awarded this year through Charles Sturt University, supporting two students from regional New South Wales studying Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Biology. Support has also been directed to the RAS Foundation Rural Scholar program, which is helping another regional student to complete her sixth and final placement year for her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course. The past year has seen many successes for our members as they travel the show and sale circuit and we congratulate them all on their efforts. Sixty-odd studs were on display at the Harden Showground in September for the South West Slopes (SWS) Merino Breeders Field Day. Welcoming over 1500 people to inspect the huge variety of sheep and trade displays, it is one of the country’s leading field days. Congratulations to Guy and Anna Evans from Tara Park for winning the SWS Hogget of the Year and Mick and Jane Corkhill from Grassy Creek for the Pen of Three Rams. The New England Merino Field Day was held at the Uralla Showground in January. Taking on the same format as SWS all studs converged at the one venue together. A number of studs opted to open on-farm the next day for a more in-depth display of their respective Merino operations and, by all reports, everybody was happy with the crowds and venue. The Armidale Show and Sale was held again in early February and Bocoble took out the show with their superfine poll ram that went on to sell for $15,000 to Clive, Tash, and Emma Pearson from Glenbrook, Armidale. This sale was only bettered by one other ram – Conrayn’s ultrafine exhibit that sold for $16,000. Bathurst was the new venue for the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show in February and, by the feedback I received, it will be there for a long time to come. The committee worked very hard promoting the event and were rewarded with more than 230 entries over the two-day competition. Congratulations to C.T. Merriman and Son from Merrignee, Boorowa, on their fine wool Supreme Exhibit ram, Brocky 21087. Sydney was next and the numbers had nearly doubled from the year before, which was great. Congratulations to Drew and Laura Chapman from West Plains Poll, Delegate, on winning Supreme Exhibit with their Poll Merino ram Zodiac. The ram went onto win the production class the next day by the length of the straight, cutting 19kg of 18.4 micron wool with a 47cm2 eye muscle and weighing 124kg. Thalabah won the Supreme Ewe with their fine wool ewe Ally, which also went on to win the production class. It was good to see the cream rising to the top in both categories. The Hay Merino Sheep Show was the most recent outing attended by our members and congratulations must go to the Clonan’s of Alfoxton who won the Grand Champion Ram, Poll Boonoke who won the NSW Champion Hogget Merino Ram and Champion Dual Purpose Pen of Three Rams as well as the Huggins family of Woodpark Poll and the Kopp family of Towonga who picked up broad ribbons on the day. Over the last 12 months the Merino family has lost a few significant people and I’d like to acknowledge them here. Rod McCully was manager of Uardry and a past President of this Association. He was the first to hold this position as a stud manager – that says it all about him. Rod had mentored many jackaroos and Chris Bowman in his eulogy said Rod’s example set a very high standard. We are saddened by the loss of members Ken Karsten from Kia-Warra, Rod Evans from Tara Park, Peter L’Estrange from Belswick and Peter Moore from Blink Bonnie. Condolences to their respective families and please share their life stories in the Vale section in the latter pages of this publication. I’d like to thank the whole NSW SMBA Council, especially my executives Justin Campbell, Malcolm Cox and Tony Gall for all those little extras that you all help out with. It is all really appreciated. A special mention should go to Rebecca Cooper, who has taken over the Executive Officer’s job and is, in a word, exceptional at her new job. Finally I’d like to thank all of our sponsors who have committed to supporting us and our industry throughout the year. We need you, value your contributions and realise that our efforts would be fruitless without you. I hope that all studs in New South Wales, and all over Australia, receive good rain, good rams, sheep and wool prices for the rest of 2024 and beyond. Best regards, Hamish McLaren, President – 4 –
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NEW MEMBERS In the past year there have been two studs registered with the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association. Contact details for these studs are contained in the NSW Merino Stud Directory 2024–2025 in the back pages of this publication. Chandler Poll F. No. 6020 – Armidale This stud was founded in April 2022 and registered in July 2023, by H.R. and L.B. Chandler, with the purchase of 25 ewes from Nerstane Poll F. No. 1433, 60 doses of semen from Centre Plus Poll F. No 1250 and the upgrade of 140 ewes from flock status, inspected on 21 August 2022 by H. McLaren and C. Clonan. Gillengill Poll F. No. 6022 – Albert This stud was founded in July 2020 and registered in January 2024, trading as W.M. Gill, with the purchase of three rams, 16 ewes, nine ram lambs and 14 ewe lambs from Well Gully Poll F. No. 1106 and one ram from Miramar Poll F. No 6007. TOP SIRE 2024–2025 NEW MEMBERS – 7 – Stops Lame Lambs (Erysipelas arthritis) Protects your Wool Cut Protects Meat Quality More Lambs to Sell Easy to use & Convenient ERYSIPELAS ARTHRITIS 5 CLOSTRIDIAL DISEASES CHEESY GLAND (CLA) BOOSTED WITH VITAMIN B12 ALL IN A 1ML DOSE THE NEW GOLD STANDARD OF SHEEP VACCINES Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138. © 2023 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. May 2023. ZL1704.
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TOP SIRE 2024–2025 CALENDAR UPDATES 2024 MERINO CALENDAR UPDATES EVENT NEW DATE PREVIOUS DATE CONTACT DETAILS OLD COBRAN POLL Mullengandra, on-property sale Monday 2 September 2024 – Matthew Martin 0427 345 227 | oldcobran.com WEEALLA / RABY Balladoran, on-property sale Friday 20 September 2024 Tuesday 17 September 2024 Stuart McBurnie 02 6887 9266 | weealla.com.au TOWALBA New location: Parkes, on-property sale Monday 23 September 2024 Friday 20 September 2024 Spike Orr | Warick Kopp 0428 643 282 | 0427 153 663 WARATAH POLL Bigga, on-property sale Tuesday 24 September 2024 Tuesday 1 October 2024 Doug Picker 02 4835 2322 | 0429 352 322 BMA RAM EXPO AND WORKING DOG AUCTION Bathurst Showground Cancelled for 2024 New date for 2025 biannual event to be confirmed Saturday 10 August 2024 Brian Seaman 02 6332 2442 The 2024 Merino Calendar is proudly sponsored by 2025 Elders Merino Calendar – Entries close Friday 20 September 2024 – 9 – MERINO & POLL STUD MERINO & POLL STUD M.N.3 MERINO & POLL STUD MERINO & POLL STUD Avenel-Top Sire Advertisement 115x185mm-2024-OL.indd 1 26/4/24 8:06 pm ERINO & POLL STUD ERINO & POLL STUD M.N.3 MERINO & POLL STUD MERINO & POLL STUD sement 115x185mm-2024-OL.indd 1 26/4/24 8:06 pm
– 10 – Contact us Today! Neogen offers the only comprehensive range of genomic tests developed with the Australian sheep industry, for the Australian sheep industry. That’s why we are Australia’s largest and most trusted provider. There is a Difference! Truly Top Sires Test with Neogen
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS JEANINE KIMM CLAIMS FIRST WOMEN’S MERINO SHEARING WORLD RECORD Shearer Jeanine Kimm has made history, setting a ground-breaking world record after shearing 358 Merino ewes in eight hours. Jeanine, who hails from the Hill End district, is the first Australian woman to attempt a shearing record of any kind and the world’s first woman to attempt a record using Merinos. The 31 year old took to the stand on 4 May 2024 at “Dalkeith”, Cassilis, where she was shearing Merino ewes provided by Troy and Sarah Rose, “Rotherwood”, Cassilis. The eight-hour attempt was split into four runs, each two hours long, and was overseen by referees Robert McLaren, New Zealand, and Australians David Brooker, Dave Grant and Ralph Blue. A solid crowd was on hand to cheer her on right to the finish, pushing her beyond her initial target of 351 ewes – the tally of the first men’s Merino ewe record set by Hilton Barrett at Euchareena in August 1999. Despite the cold, wet conditions on the day, Jeanine exceeded her goal and entered the record books, shearing each ewe in an average of 80.8 seconds. “My favourite sheep to shear are Merino ewes,” Jeanine said. As per the World Sheep Shearing Records Society guidelines, the ewes must be more than 18 months old and have an average wool weight of no less than 3.4kg. “The sheep I shear day in, day out are generally heavier wool cuts.” The record is the culmination of a lifelong dream to make her mark in the industry and inspire other women to pursue a career in shearing sheds. Jeanine comes from a family of shearers, growing up on her family’s superfine Merino property near Hill End where she spent her childhood in the shearing shed and sheep yards. As a child, she spent her school holidays in sheds with her dad Noel. “When I was 12 or 13, I started to drag them out, then gradually Dad started letting me have a go at shearing,” she said. “That’s when I started to really build that interest.” Jeanine said she was inspired by her mother and aunt who were also skilled with the handpiece and became strong role models for her to pursue a shearing career. After finishing school, Jeanine spent her gap year working in shearing sheds for Butch and Fiona Pilley, working around the Mudgee, Quambone and Warren areas. Jeanine did go off to university, but said shearing sheds called her home. She now works as a full-time shearer, currently with contractor Peter Robinson, Fullerton Shearing Services at Crookwell. Jeanine admits she loves a challenge and first started thinking about pursuing a world record attempt more than a year ago. “There’s been some impressive tallies set by women but there wasn’t any official women’s Merino record,” she said. “A record attempt was always mulling in the back of my mind, because I do like a challenge and like to see what I can push myself to do.” Jeanine didn’t take too much time to rest after her world record attempt, getting stuck in to finish shearing the remainder of the “Rotherwood” mob the very next day. Photo caption. Jeanine Kimm has set a benchmark Australian women’s shearing record after shearing 358 ewes in eight hours at “Dalkeith”, Cassilis, in May. Her “second”, Mark Constance, was at her side during the historic record attempt. – 11 –
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TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS Photo captions. 1– Ben Swain holds 171131, a Macquarie 2017-drop ewe, which conceived 13 embryos over five joinings and raised all 13 through to weaning. 2– Macquarie ewes in a methane collection chamber in October 2023. Photos: Supplied. MERINO LIFETIME PRODUCTIVITY PROJECT – 2024 UPDATE The Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) project is collecting lifetime data across five diverse environments and Merino types to help better understand and deliver Merino ewe lifetime performance outcomes. The project, funded by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) in partnership with site hosts and sire entrants, is managed by the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA). Three of the five MLP sites were/are based in New South Wales: � MerinoLink – “The Vale”, Temora Hosts: MerinoLink, Moses and Son, Bluechip Livestock � Macquarie – Trangie Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie Hosts: NSW DPI and Macquarie Sire Evaluation Association � New England – “Chiswick”, Uralla Hosts: CSIRO and New England Merino Sire Evaluation Association Each site runs two drops of ewes who are daughters of industry sires that were specifically selected to be industry representative and relevant. Of the 134 sires used across the project, 66 originate from New South Wales studs or ram breeding flocks. PROJECT UPDATE The MLP project is inching towards the final data collection with just the New England site in operation until July 2024. Like the other two New South Wales-based sites, these sheep will go through their final MLP data collection before their involvement in a New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and University of New England (UNE)-led project that will see the ewes measured for methane output. 1– 2– – 13 –
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS The ewes will also be involved in feed intake studies led by UNE, which will complement similar work funded by AWI and undertaken by Murdoch University at the Western Australiabased Pingelly site. The value adding to the core MLP project has been considerable. MLP add-on projects have included investigations into feed efficiency, methane, resilience, footrot, meat eating quality, dust penetration and wool cut, foetal aging, Tissue Sampling Unit (TSU) sampling and udder soundness. An overview of the core benefits the project has delivered to date was published in the December edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale and republished in the projects’ March e-newsletter. ANALYSIS UPDATE The project analysis team at the Animal Breeding Genetics Unit (AGBU) is preparing the MLP project dataset for thorough analysis. The MLP project aimed to include sires that, when combined, were both industry relevant and representative. As a result, the evaluation of progeny from 134 sires shows significant genetic diversity. If this diversity is not accounted for in the analysis, it can lead to inaccurate results. The AGBU team have been working to develop new methodology to group sires for analysis to help produce more relevant results for wool growers that mostly select sheep within a Merino type. Historically, genetic analysis has used ‘drops of origin’ or ‘birth year’ to group animals which has led to the evolution of a significant number of ‘genetic’ groups that are fitted into analysis. The work AGBU is undertaking hopes to develop a process that can also be used by others to assist in genetic evaluations. The grouping strategy under development is using the genomic performance of production traits (fleece weight, growth, fibre diameter, reproduction, etc.) and uses similarities and differences to determine populations features and groupings. Once the grouping strategy is finalised and the full MLP project dataset is available, AGBU will then commence a process of estimating the heritability and correlations (genetic parameters) between traits assessed at each stage within and across each of the five sites. Understanding the relatedness of performance traits across each stage of assessment, and with each other, will help to fine tune existing selection approaches to deliver animals that are more productive through life. The NSW SMBA Trust has provided valuable funding to help with the MLP analysis and communicating its outcomes. The focus of the project will be to explore the cost benefit of selecting for lifetime production using visual versus measurement approaches as well as combinations of visual and measured approaches. The parameter estimations will help to inform this work. – 14 – Proud to Support the Merino Breeders Association 100% Australian Owned www.schutebell.com.au sbbl@schutebell.com SCHUTE BELL Schute Bell Badgery Lumby Professional & Personalised Wool Brokers Livestock Marketing Stock & Station Agents Rural Property Marketing Real Estate Agents Finance Providers Insurance Agents Merchandise Providers Clearing Sales Flock and clip preparation advice Tailoring selling methods to suit producer needs auction, private, reclassing & rehandle facilities Assistance in risk management Interest free shearing advance Weekly wool market reports Local and overseas market information Sheep classing and ram selection service Personalised livestock marketing and sales Stud stock sales and advice We offer a variety of services with convenient Wool Store locations across Eastern Australia. Yennora Head Office Ph 02 9892 0700 Fax 02 98920721 Wool Office Ph 02 9892 0712 Bourke Ph 02 6872 2766 Brewarrina Ph 02 6839 2020 Brisbane QLD Ph 07 3275 1277 Cooma Ph 02 6452 4994 Fairfield Ph 02 9892 0800 Goulburn Ph 02 4822 4200 Guyra Ph 02 6779 1888 Inverell Ph 02 6722 1888 Narromine Ph 02 6889 2956
FACT 1: 171131, a Macquarie 2017-drop ewe, conceived 13 embryos over five joinings and raised all of them through to weaning. She was born and raised a triplet and has weaned the most lambs of the 5700 ewes in the MLP project. FACT 2: Three classing approaches were explored at the Macquarie site. One was professional classing, carried out by Chris Bowman. This classing aims to have across the drop 1% tops, 9% studs, 60% seconds, 20% sales and 10% culls. 171131 was initially classed at post weaning as a second, at hogget a cull, first and second adult class as a sale and in her third to fifth adult class as a second. Classing was done blind without any pedigree or performance information. FACT 3: On the MP+ index, her performance, when compared to her siblings, was average or in the 50th percentile and high on the DP+ index. So, while her reproduction performance has been exceptional, over the years she has fluctuated visually and been average or below for other production traits. FUN FACTS ABOUT EWE 171131 While the data collection phase of the project is drawing to a close, the analysis process is starting to ramp up. We look forward to sharing these outcomes with industry and thank the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association for their support and engagement in the project. Written by Anne Ramsay, MLP Project Manager – 15 – over 150 years of breeding excellence 75rams SaleDate: Friday 6th Sept 2024 Inspections: from 10.30am Sale commences 12.30pm Location: Caroonboon Station Moulamein Road, Wanganella NSW 2710 Contact: Stud Principal: Margie Pye 0427 996 911 margiep01@bigpond.com Studmaster: Tom Lilburne 0488 601 603 Station Manager: Derrym Meddings 0477 327 949 derrym.meddings@outlook.com Georgie Meddings 0488 014 846 georgina.meddings@gmail.com Facebook: Caroonboon Merinos calga.com.au caroonboonmerinos :Instagram Annual on Property Sale F. No. 18 | Poll F. No. 1635 Caroonboon Merinos
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS SCHOOL STUD REGISTRATION CHANGES The NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association has recently reduced the minimum requirements for school stud registration applications in a bid to encourage schools to establish their own Merino or Poll Merino studs. Schools will now require a minimum of five Merino or Poll Merino ewes, plus one Merino or Poll Merino ram, to register a stud and become a member of NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association (NSW SMBA). This change reflects the Association’s commitment to supporting the next generation of Merino breeders and encouraging today's youth to develop their skills and establish career paths within the wool and sheep industries. If you're breeding Merino or Poll Merino sheep and would like to network with like-minded producers, receive breed and industry news as well as be involved in the continual success and growth of the Merino breed, consider becoming a NSW SMBA member. The benefits you'll receive as a member include the ability to market your stud as a registered Merino or Poll Merino stud with your unique flock number, support from the NSW SMBA Board and other like-minded breeders, inclusion in the registered member directory on NSW SMBA’s website and the Association’s annual printed publication, the Top Sire, plus the opportunity to participate in the annual Dubbo National Merino Sheep Show as well as other major industry shows across the state. Discounted memberships are available for any New South Wales school wishing to establish their own Merino or Poll Merino stud. To find out more, please contact Rebecca Cooper, NSW SMBA Executive Officer, via email at office@merinonsw.com.au. – 16 – 01539-2404 Scan the QR code to contact your local AWN specialist or visit awn.net/contact For all your Wool, Livestock & Property needs
FLOCK EWE COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP ANNOUNCED A new feature of the 2024 Dubbo National Merino Sheep Show will be the NSW Flock Ewe Competition Championship, which will showcase some of the top commercial Merino flocks from across the state. A sample of ewes from the top New South Wales commercial flocks will be on display from each entrant on Wednesday 28 August 2024, including winning flocks from district ewe competitions across the state. Teams will be judged on the day, with $5000 in prize money up for grabs. The overall winner will be announced that evening along with the announcement of the Australian Supreme Ram. It’s anticipated that this event will become a prestigious award for our New South Wales commercial breeders to aspire to. Show details and competition arrangements will be forwarded to interested parties with entries closing 20 August 2024. For further details, please contact Garry Kopp on 0401 461 829 or via gdkopp@bigpond.com. – 17 – TAMBUA POLL MERINO STUD Accredited Ovine Brucellosis, Footrot & Ovine Johnes Free. Stud & commercial rams available Inspections invited Contact Paul & Jane P: (02) 6837 3623 Michael & Kate P: (02) 6837 3622 M: 0447 732 033 E: tambuastation@gmail.com F. No. 564 | Est. 1974 Quality Western Bred Fine Wool Poll Merinos Tambua Poll Merino Stud was established in 1974 on Eudora bloodlines and more recently Airlie Poll Merinos & Jolly Jumbuck QLD bloodlines. Tambua Poll Merino Stud have a long tradition of producing top quality western bred ne wool Poll Merinos that produce a heavy cut of long staple, bright white so handling 18-micron wool.
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS SO, YOU’VE GOT A GENOMIC FLOCK PROFILE – NOW WHAT? Through an exciting partnership with NSW Stud Merino Breedersʼ Association, XytoVet and Coopers/Allflex, entrants of all New South Wales flock ewe competitions in 2024 were able to access free sampling for genomic flock profiling. Tissue samples were taken from a random sample of 20 sheep from each entrant’s display during tours at this year’s flock ewe competitions, with the samples used to generate flock profiles. The DNA samples were then analysed using advanced genomic technologies, such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays or nextgeneration sequencing, which allow for the detection of genetic variations throughout the sheep's genome. Using statistical models and algorithms, genomic predictions are generated for each sheep based on its genetic profile. These predictions estimate the animal's genetic potential for various traits, allowing breeders to make informed decisions about breeding selection and management. NOW WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE DATA Once you have obtained a genomic flock profile, there are several steps you can take to leverage this valuable information effectively. EVALUATE AND INTERPRET THE DATA Begin by thoroughly reviewing the genomic profiles of your Merino flock, identifying genetic markers associated with desirable traits such as wool production, growth rate, meat quality, disease resistance and reproductive performance. These genetic markers can give you an estimate of the strengths and weaknesses within your Merino flock. Understand the implications of each gene marker trait and how they align with your breeding objectives, how they work within your environment and if they actually affect the bottom line of your individual sheep flock. ACCURACY The accuracy of a sheep genomic flock profile can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the genomic data, the size and diversity of the reference population used for analysis and the complexity of the traits being evaluated. Generally, the accuracy of genomic predictions tends to increase with the availability of larger and more diverse reference populations. The information in your genomic flock profile is therefore more predictable if your ram source is linked to the genomic population through ASBV’s, genomic profiles or through sire evaluation trials. Photo caption. XytoVet’s Hannah Anderson taking samples during the 16th ANZ Agribusiness Crookwell Flock Ewe Competition held in January 2024. – 18 –
FIGURE: UNDERSTANDING THE REPORT – FLOCK PROFILE 50 60 70 80 90 100 40 30 20 10 0 Broader Your Flock Profile results (in ASBV terms) Comparison to MERINOSELECT flock averages, using percentiles. Bars to the right-hand side is generally the favourable direction for these traits. For example, this flock is in the top 20% of the industry for YEMD. Finer Yearling Fibre Diameter (YFD) -1.2 Yearling Eye Muscle Depth (YEMD) 1.0 Early Breech Wrinkle (EBWR) 0.0 Smaller Larger More Less The flock profile test provides you with flock average breeding values comparable to the Sheep Genetics database. The report uses percentile bands to determine where your flock might sit for a particular trait. A score on the 10th percentile indicates your flock is in the top 10% of flocks for that trait. (Source: Meat & Livestock Australia) – 19 – Photograph by Lea and Lens Photography ON PROPERTY RAM SALE MONDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2024 GUY & ANNA: 0427 439 102 · ADRIENNE: 0428 853 288 · taraparkstud@bigpond.com · www.tarapark.com.au 353 BRIAL ROAD, BOOROWA, 1PM
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS For sheep genomic flock profiles, the accuracy of individual genomic predictions can also vary depending on the specific traits being evaluated. Traits with a strongly heritable genetic component, such as fleece weight, fibre diameter and growth rate, tend to have higher prediction accuracies compared to more complex traits influenced by environmental factors and lower heritable traits such as reproduction and worm resistance. DEVELOP BREEDING OBJECTIVES Based on the information gleaned from the genomic profiles, refine your breeding objectives to focus on traits that will drive genetic improvement within your flock. Determine which traits are priorities for your operation, establish clear breeding goals to guide your selection process and then work with your stud breeding ram source, flock advisor or sheep classer to establish a long-term breeding objective to achieve this outcome. SELECTIVE BREEDING Once you have identified your strengths and weaknesses and developed a long-term breeding objective with your Merino enterprise profitability in mind, use the genomic data to select sheep that possess the desired genetic markers and traits. Prioritise animals with superior desired individual traits as breeding stock to enhance the genetic potential of future generations. Consider factors such as genetic diversity, suitability to your environment, pedigree, individual performance and trait accuracy when making these breeding decisions. Don’t get too carried away by low heritable or less profitable traits. Keep your selection criteria simple and as limited as possible. Photo caption. Samples being taken during February's 3rd Cumnock Flock Ewe Competition. – 20 –
IMPLEMENT A STRATEGIC BREEDING PROGRAM Develop a strategic breeding program tailored to your specific objectives and resources that incorporates some measurement information or performance benchmarking into your breeding program to maximise and track genetic progress over time. Continuously monitor your breeding program based on performance feedback and enterprise profitability, identifying areas for improvement over time that align with your long-term breeding objectives. Keep discussing this progress and communicate regularly with your ram breeder or flock classer so that they can assist you in moving your flock in the desired direction. GENOMIC TESTING Continue to take a genomic flock profile of a random sample of 20 of your youngest ewe drop every three to five years to track the genetic gain of your flock over time to see if you are moving towards your long-term breeding objectives. This will also let you redefine the strengths and weaknesses of your flock to identify aspects that may need to be re-tweaked in conjunction with your ram breeder or sheep classer/advisor. STAY INFORMED AND ADAPT Keep an open mind and stay informed about advancements in genetic technology and breeding methodologies to remain at the forefront of genetic improvement. Continuously adapt and revisit your breeding strategies and objectives based on emerging trends, research findings and market demands to ensure the long-term success, profitability and sustainability of your Merino operation. Do this with a cautious approach – don’t jump from trait to trait and don’t jump around between ram sources hoping to get a quick fix. Integrating genomic flock profiles into your commercial sheep breeding program and decision making process, while also working with your ram breeder, sheep classer or flock adviser, can help to unlock the full potential of your Merino flock. – 21 – ON PROPERTY SALE | 300 RAMS | Monday 16th September 2024 | 1pm | Cunningham Plains, Harden NSW Steve Phillips 0427 863 128 Sam Phillips 0409 036 943 Damian Meaburn (Stud Advisor) 0419 098 115 Angus Campbell 0467 098 115 N PROPERTY SALE | 300 RAMS | Monday 16th September 2024 | 1pm | Cunningham Plains, Harden NS Steve Phillips 0427 863 128 Sam Phillips 0409 036 943 Damian Meaburn (Stud Advisor) 0419 098 115 Angus Campbell 0467 098 115 N PROPERTY SALE | 300 RAMS | Monday 16th September 2024 | 1pm | Cunningham Plains, Harden NS Steve Phillips 0427 863 128 Sam Phillips 0409 036 943 Damian Meaburn (Stud Advisor) 0419 098 115 Angus Campbell 0467 098 115
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS 1– FIRST SHEARING SHOWS NET PROFIT WINS The first evaluation shearing of the 2023–25 Australian Merino Production Trial (AMPT) has revealed a $24 per head difference in net profit between the top ten and bottom ten performing teams. Fifty groups, totalling 730 wethers from across Australia, were evaluated in the trial, with more than 35 different Merino and Poll Merino bloodlines represented. Teams of 30 wethers entered by producers were split into two different production systems – a feedlot at Condobolin focusing on meat traits and pasture/grazing crops at Temora where the focus is on wool traits. Managed by Craig Wilson, Redgum River Pastoral Company, Wagga Wagga, teams were subjected to their first shearing of the trial in March. With ten months wool growth the shearing was conducted at FarmLink Research’s Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre. Mitch Rubie, Rubie Livestock Advancement, Forbes, co-convener of AMPT, said the trial provided critical feedback for producers who had entered sheep. “The great thing that the trial does is compare like-for- – 22 – Discover more: weatherbysscientific.com.au Bill Burgess m: 0424 004 622 Tamarah Luxton m: 0474 633 799 60K SNP Chip designed in collaboration with Sheep Genetics Australia Parentage, Traits and ASBVs Sampling support and TSUs available Free consultancy for Genotyping strategies and annual planning $27.50 + GST per Sample Our Services
Photo captions. 1– Shearing the wethers in March with ten month's wool at FarmLink Research's Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre. 2– Spectators at the trial’s first shearing were eager to see the results come in. 3– Craig Wilson, manager of the AMPT. Photos: FarmLink Research Ltd. like,” he said. “All the sheep are subject to the same management, but showing a $24 per head (/hd) difference in value at shearing. If you consider that number across a couple thousand sheep, it adds up pretty quickly.” Wethers from the top ten teams averaged $81.45/ hd for fleece value, while averaging 16.7 micron with a greasy wool weight (GWW) of 5.6kg, clean wool weight (CWW) of 3.9kg and a shorn body weight of 51.6kg. The top team for fleece value was from Myalla Station, Cooma, with an average fleece value of $87.63 for 5.9kg GWW of 16.3 micron wool. In comparison, the bottom ten performing teams averaged $57.38 fleece value with averages of 17.9 micron, 4.7kg GWW, 3.3kg CWW and 51.7kg shorn body weight. The top team for sheep value (current meat value and fleece value combined) was the Jones family of Condobolin. Their wethers had a sheep value of $180.09, in comparison to the overall average of $159.20 and the bottom performing team’s average of $138.07. Craig Wilson said the trial removes management variabilities, emphasising the effect genetics can have on profitability. “Last year, some of the wethers dressed at 30kg while their brothers in the wool trial are in the 16 micron range. Traditionally, people would think that it was impossible to have high-value wool sheep and high-value meat sheep at the same time,” he said. “It doesn’t have to change your cost structure significantly. It doesn’t cost you any more to run good quality sheep compared to ordinary quality sheep.” The wethers will continue to be run together until March 2025, where they will undergo their second shearing and overall results will be collated. 2– 3– – 23 –
– 24 – THE TEAM AT STOCKPRO HAVE DESIGNED A MODULAR SHEARING BOARD THAT TICKS ALL THE BOXES FRONT FILL REAR FILL RACE DELIVERY ANGLED CHUTE SLOPED FLOOR CATCHING PEN IS YOUR SHEARING SHED SAFE? STOCKPRO MODULAR SHEARING BOARD OR SEE OUR FULL RANGE ONLINE VISIT STOCKPRO.COM.AU LOW STRESS & EFFICIENT YARDS CATTLE YARDS SHEEP YARDS SHEARING SHEDS CALL US ON 1800 354 415 CONSULT • DESIGN • FABRICATE • INSTALL
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS WORLD YOUNG SHEPHERDS CHAMPION HAILS FROM YASS Australia’s Gabbie Horton has claimed the champion female title in the World Young Shepherds Competition, held in France. The Ovinpiades Mondiales, considered the Olympic Games of shepherding, sees competitors from 19 countries take part in a series of challenges, including shearing, foot trimming, ewe health assessment and electric fence building. Representing Australia in the competition, held in late May, alongside 21 year old Jack Grundy from Naracoorte, South Australia, 25 year old Gabbie, who works on a sheep property near Yass, came second overall while Jack placed fourth. The pair were selected by WoolProducers Australia from applications from graduates of the Peter Westblade Scholarship and Hay Inc. training programs. Gabbie said the experience highlighted how operations could vary between countries. "It was interesting for the Australians because we work with the largest numbers of sheep on a very commercial scale," she said. "All the other English-speaking teams were working in small operations and they've had subsidies over the years, which made for some very interesting conversations. It's amazing to be recognised for something that you do on a daily basis – and to go overseas and be recognised for it was a pretty incredible experience.” For Gabbie, the trip was the culmination of her 2023 Peter Westblade Scholarship which involved a fiveweek tour around New Zealand visiting stud and commercial Merino properties, laboratories and wool companies. 1– 2– Photo captions. 1– The World Young Shepherds' champion female Gabbie Horton from Yass, New South Wales. 2– Jack Grundy, Peter Westblade Scholarship Chairman, Joe Walden, and Gabbie Horton at the World Young Shepherd Competition in France. Photos: Peter Westblade Scholarship. – 25 –
TOP SIRE 2024–2025 INDUSTRY NEWS Photo captions. 1– Gundagai Lamb’s Jake Bourlet, Michelle Henry, Will Barton and Claire Marriott. 2– Lamb being processed at Gundagai Lamb's facilities. Photos: Gundagai Lamb. INNOVATION PROVIDES A QUALITY ADVANTAGE Gundagai Meat Processors has set a new benchmark when it comes to lamb quality and producers are reaping the rewards. For more than 100 years, across three generations, the Barton family has been associated with Gundagai’s meat industry. In the early days, beef, lamb and pork were processed for the family’s own butcher shop. By the late 1990s, they were squarely focused on lamb. More recently, the company launched Gundagai Lamb – a new brand developed to be a point of difference in the market. In late 2022, they introduced a world-first lamb grid with a premium offered for lambs with intramuscular fat measurements (marbling) of 5% or higher. Their unique grading system, the GLQ Score, enables Gundagai Lamb to grade each lamb based on three key measures: lean meat yield, intramuscular fat and overall animal health. The scoring system is designed to encourage lambs with above average marbling, discourage over fattening of lambs and reward producers whose lambs are free of animal health conditions and carcase defects. CEO, Will Barton, said the technologies used in the feedback system allowed the company to report and pay producers more appropriately, based on actual data. “We needed a point of difference that went beyond just being the biggest and fastest processor,” he said. “It became about quality.” They set about building the industry's most comprehensive feedback system, taking into account carcase weight, lean meat yield, intramuscular fat and animal health factors on a carcaseby-carcase basis. This data is then communicated to the producer on the same day the animal is processed. The feedback system uses Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) to assess lean meat yield by measuring the percentage of muscle, fat and bone in the carcase, while the meat eating quality (MEQ) probe objectively measures the level of intramuscular fat through the use of nanoscale biophotonics, machine-learning algorithms and medical-grade lasers to understand the chemical composition of the carcase. 1– 2– – 26 –
Throughout the grading process, Gundagai Lamb gathers detailed health data on each carcase, tracked by each animals’ RFID. Lambs are graded into two product lines, GLQ Score Graded and GLQ Score 5+ (GLQ5+), which has a higher lean meat yield and higher intramuscular fat. When the grid was implemented producers could be paid a 50c/ kg premium for intramuscular fat. The company has now replaced that with an 80c/kg premium for lambs graded as GLQ5+ in their in-house scoring system, which Mr Barton said was incentivising lean meat yield as well. “The paradigm is shifting,” he said. “This is where feedback becomes absolutely critical.” If carcases were over fattened, Mr Barton said they were trimming off excess fat, leaving less of the carcase to sell. “There’s nothing new about that but our difference, through using DEXA which has a high level of accuracy, is that we can report and pay with confidence.” Mr Barton said the company’s feedback loop was driving improvement for producers who were sending lambs to Gundagai. “We are building a premium brand which is heavily reliant on producers supplying a product that meets our criteria,” he said. “We have an obligation to tell producers what they send us and what we want.” He said Gundagai Lamb targeted lambs with a 24 to 32kg carcase weight and a 59 to 66% lean meat yield. In purchasing lambs, Mr Barton said they preferred those grown within a 100km radius. “We do have producers from up to 400km away, depending on the quality, seasonal conditions and availability,” he said. “We’ve got a huge number of lambs around our locality.” The company runs a number of internal programs on a regular basis, aimed at educating producers on the process and providing support for those striving to breed healthier, better tasting lamb. “We have a specific producer – they are a super focused, highly engaged producer who is constantly looking to improve and optimise outcomes.” Since day one, Mr Barton said producers have questioned which breed performed best in their processing system. “We have found there is no such thing as the best breed, just the right individual animal,” Mr Barton said. “What we have found is that there is more variability within breeds than between breeds.” Mr Barton said it was important for producers to look for the “best fit” for their land and production systems. “This is now evolving too; the best breed is the one with the most predictability.” He said Merinos were well placed as a breed, due to the data available. “What we are looking for in a Merino lamb for our brand is meat focus and awareness – that type of Merino is more likely to perform in our supply chain,” he said. “The most successful Merino producers are typically sending lambs that are at least nine months of age, weighing 55kg plus, with modern Merino genetics.” – 27 – For further details contact: Alistair Wells: 0427 867 117 1340 Liddles Lane, Jerilderie oneoakpoll@gmail.com www.oneoakpoll.com.au Stud Advisor: Michael Elmes, Smart Stock 0429 847 552 Breeding a Balanced Poll Merino with Proven Commercial Productivity One Oak Poll 2024 Ewe Comp Success Our client’s continued successs in flock ewe competitions reflect the commercial viability of One Oak Poll genetics. We congratulate Justin and Natalie McCarten, “Glen Echo”, for winning the Lake Cargelligo Flock Ewe Competition. Congratulations also to Darren and Gale Clarke, “Greenlands”, for winning the West Wyalong Flock Ewe Competition, for the third consecutive year. On-property auction Friday 27th September Sire 22-W349
– 28 – Contact us Today! Neogen offers the only comprehensive range of genomic tests developed with the Australian sheep industry, for the Australian sheep industry. That’s why we are Australia’s largest and most trusted provider. There is a Difference! Truly Top Sires Test with Neogen
– 29 – Embarking on DNA testing for the first time might seem a daunting task but be assured it is an easy and affordable process that can deliver significant improvement in a flock through better selection at joining time. What does DNA testing tell sheep breeders? DNA testing is a fast and reliable way to read the genetic code that determines a sheep’s performance and knowing the genetic merit of an animal at a younger age can guide selection and breeding decisions and shorten generation interval within your flock. Where do you start? The first step is to look at your breeding objective and identify what sort of DNA test is the best option for you. Having visually identified the pick of a drop, a DNA test can then be used to identify which animals to keep and which to cull from your breeding program. For the Merino breed there are a few different tests you can select from GGP 50K, Poll, Parentage and Flock Profiling. The GGP 50K is the most popular as it feeds directly into the MerinoSelect system and allows breeders to get parentage and poll results all within the one test. What if you are not a member of MerinoSelect? While the GGP 50K is Neogen’s most popular testing option for Merino breeders, for breeders not in MerinoSelect we can offer Parentage, Poll and Flock Profile testing. Parentage testing is a popular choice amongst breeders who syndicate mate their animals or would like to elevate mothering up from their production system. DNA parentage is the most accurate way to identify full pedigree of an animal and allow your purchasers to buy with confidence. Poll/horn results are also available from a parentage test. Flock Profile testing is the perfect way for flocks that are not part of the MerinoSelect database to get genomic breeding values that are scaled to the MerinoSelect ASBVs. This product is also a perfect way for commercial producers to benchmark their flock and use as a guide when purchasing rams to help reach their breeding objective quicker. Is taking a DNA sample hard? The short answer is no. To get started you will need an applicator and Tissue Sample Units (TSUs), these can be sourced from Neogen. TSUs are designed so that each sample has its own vial and cutter which reduces the risk of sample contamination. Each TSU has its own unique ID that can be linked to the animal’s ear tag, these can be easily recorded into on farm databases. Neogen’s lab will also accept samples as blood cards or semen samples. What information do I get from a GGP 50K test? Neogen’s GGP 50K test results are combined with the physical measurements that you send through to MerinoSelect and become a part of your animals Australia Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs). Genomic Breeding Values (GBVs) are produced for critical traits including birth weight, weaning weight, post weaning weight, greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple length, staple strength, early breach wrinkle, eye muscle depth, fat dept and carcase weight. The GGP 50K test also reports on meat eating quality with values for lean meat yield, intramuscular fat and shear force these traits are otherwise impossible to measure without post-slaughter measurements. What research is behind the GGP 50K test? Neogen’s GGP 50K test was developed with close collaboration with the former Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC) and contains the top ovine SNPs (exclusive to Neogen). Research by Moghaddar et al (2019) has been shown that using the top SNPs increases prediction accuracies by 7-10% in both purebred and composite animals, when compared with conventional Ovine 50K tests which impute data. How long does it take before you will see results? We recommend allowing at least 1 week in postage before your samples are received at the Neogen office. Once your samples have been checked against the relevant paperwork and the invoice has been paid your samples will enter the laboratory. Results are usually received 3 to 4 weeks from the time the samples arrive at the laboratory. An additional one to two weeks should also be factored in for the results to be processed through the MerinoSelect analysis (data runs are conducted on the 7 and 21 of each month). Results for GGP 50K tests will be reported by Sheep Genetics, if Parentage or Poll testing has been requested these results will be emailed to you by the Neogen SheepDNA office. ADVERTORIAL DNA Testing – FAQs neogenaustralasia.com.au 07 3736 2134 naa-lab@neogen.com | 14 Hume Drive, Bundamba QLD 4304
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