GROWING demand for lamb in China, combined with the country's surge in agriculture development and the advantages to be gained from embryo transfer technology, is paving the way for big export opportunities for Australian meat sheep breeders.
Leading the charge is the Australian Whites breed, with demand from China skyrocketing on the back of the breed's ability to inject early growth and improved carcase traits without taking from the hardiness and efficiency of local breeds.
The haired, thicker skin of the Australian White has meant crossbred lambs can perform in the minus 35 degree conditions of places such as Mongolia.
Equally, the lack of wool means they suit the hot and humid areas.
Australian Whites have been exported as live breeding animals to China for four years and last year the first embryos were exported by Oberon district stud Tattykeel, pioneers of the breed.
Tattykeel will this year flush 1000 pure ewes, with about 400 destined for China and other countries.
According to the stud's Graham Gilmore, that is only the tip of the iceberg of potential for the breed in China.
Consumer interest in lamb is fast-growing in China as part of the higher living standards, he said.
"As China becomes more westernised in the major cities, we are seeing more lamb on menus in restaurants and our contacts are telling us the demand in particular is for top-end lamb cuts," he said.
Chinese producers can use Australian White genetics to tap into that premium market while ramping up their productivity, he said.
Australian White genetics have been used over numerous local breeds and in both the feedlot shed system and open range.
"Embryos have been the natural progression, being much cheaper to export than live animals with less testing on the other end," Mr Gilmore said.
With the crossbred lambs in China commonly reaching 20 to 25 kilograms at four to five months, weight gains are dramatic.
"Many of the Chinese breeds are poor in growth and carcase shape but are hardy and quite fertile," Mr Gilmore said.
"The Australian White complements that perfectly."
Eating quality, of course, is the other drawing point.
"These Australian White crossbred lambs have a unique eating quality, with a fine texture and soft to the bite - and a fat that is more like an oil when cooked and does not set - it's highly sought by consumers," he said.
It's not just China where demand for Australian White genetics is on the rise.
Small numbers of Tattykeel embryos will also be exported to Costa Rica and Uruguay this year, and Mr Gilmore said there were many more export destinations in the pipeline.
"There is big potential for this breed to grow in many countries, given its easy care with the hair coat and its stronger black feet and good growth rates," he said.
"Many of the shedding breeds have been developed for desert areas - the Australian White was developed to work in greener conditions."
The breed is in a rapid growing phase with a lot of embryo transfer happening across Australia.
There are now 50 Australian White studs in Australia and one in China.
