GENETICS from northern NSW are proving popular in sheep producing regions across the state.
Elders sheep and wool specialist John Newsome, Northern Tablelands, said buyers had been attending the northern ram sales and New England Merino field days from as far away as the Central West, Goulburn and Yass.
He said breeders wanted to see how New England genetics were advancing and whether they could be used in their flock.
There’s certainly an appeal in New England genetics from other areas as Mr Newsome said breeders were looking to increase their frame size and wool cut.
With these areas still being high rainfall, the rams are able to handle the climate and producers can look more into producing a dual purpose flock.
“There are also a lot of producers putting more emphasis on fat and eye muscle,” Mr Newsome said. “At the field days growers can see what studs are doing here to increase fleece weights and maintain micron.”
A growing interest also existed for Merino sheep which packed more punch in the frame and muscling department.
Producers are emphasising fat and eye muscle
- Martin Oppenheimer
Petali Poll Merinos principal Martin Oppenheimer, Walcha, said in the past decade commercial buyers’ need for a dual-purpose Merino sheep had become apparent.
He said there had been a big push for the lamb and sheep meat side of the business and the Merino enterprise was no longer solely for fibre production.
“They’re looking for extra emphasis on growth and traits like eye muscle and fat,” he said. “Those traits are not only wanted because of potential value in carcase impact, but also because of the impact fat and muscle have on the reproduction of Merino ewes.”
Mr Oppenheimer said producers now looked for a balance where they could maintain their high wool standard, but also produce a heavier cutting Merino to suit meat markets.
“They want a balance between newer traits as well as productive sheep with good fibre,” he said.
Sale trends had tended towards the “genetically biggest” sheep in the catalogue making top money because producers were still being rewarded for high quality fibre, but also for sheep that produced plenty of wool and a lot of lambs, he said.
“As usual, studs are changing their sheep as quickly as possible to react to the need of the buyers,” he said.
