General News
7 March, 2023
Breeders beat challenges
LODDON Valley Merino studs conquered a challenging spring to put their best ewes and rams forward at their field day. Ewes lost condition last October carrying too much wool as studs waited for shearers to get through floodwaters and grazing areas...
LODDON Valley Merino studs conquered a challenging spring to put their best ewes and rams forward at their field day.
Ewes lost condition last October carrying too much wool as studs waited for shearers to get through floodwaters and grazing areas were reduced or waterlogged. “But they have recovered well,” said Terrick West’s Ross McGauchie.
That optimism for the industry was echoed by Robert Hooke at Willera Merinos, one of four on-property displays for the annual field day with another 11 association member studs based at Serpentine recreation reserve.
He said floods had impacted local studs and while wool prices could be tough, a lift was around the corner.
Loddon Valley Stud Merino Breeders’ Association president Kevin Hynam said members had proven again that they were breeding sheep to withstand environmental challenges.
Pen of three rams judge Murray McKenzie backed up the assessment of recovery since the floods.
“The rams we judged today looked really good,” he said.
“The studs were hard to split and we really did come down to the finer details - an even three rams ... their structure.”
Co-judge Phil Toland said quality and quantity of wool also came into the assessment.
“Some have handled the wet better than others,” he said.
“There’s a big range of environments the rams come from - some areas have far greater rainfall than others and last year you could double it.”
Mr Hynam said while crowds were down slightly this year, the field day was an opportunity for members to show “a range of Merino types bred selectively by each stud breeder to suit their goals and environments”.
“Although 2023 has shown a correction in lamb and mutton markets, Merino wool prices have increased closer to a sustainable level.”
Kamarooka Park’s Errol Hay is among Loddon breeders continuing to invest in genetics for improvement of sheep.
Mr Hay said he aimed for a bold crimp-style fleece that was averaging 18.5 microns.
While winning the field day pen of three rams last year, he had higher hopes in 2023 for the new ewes competition and was rewarded with third place.
Mr Hynam said the inaugural ewe competition was named in honour of the late Doug Todd.
From next year, the award would become a memorial event for all former members of the association, he said.
Mr Todd’s wife Elizabeth and daughter Lou judged the ewe competition last Friday and said Doug would have been thrilled to have the inaugural prize named in his honour.
Lou said her father always enjoyed the field day and being with fellow Merino breeders.
His Ninuenook stud became known for high lambing percentages and great mothering abilities with soft bright white wools on a medium Merino frame.