MANY producers enjoy the productive traits and qualities of the first cross (Border Leicester/Merino) ewe admired by their breeders as the mothers of Australia’s prime lamb industry, and the Heckendorf family of Trangie are among them.
Currently joining some 3000 Merino ewes of Kerin Poll blood to Border Leicester rams from the Sweeney family’s Bindaree stud, Merrygoen and the Cameron’s Nundoone stud, Trangie, the Heckendorf’s Auburn Farms partnership will change directions slightly this year due to the abundance of extra feed from winter rains and hold onto their lambs to heavier weights.
The family of Ian and Judy Heckendorf and son, Trent and wife Sophia and three children, also produce a line of quality first cross ewes which they class up and reserve for the annual Narromine First Cross (NFX) ewe sale, this year being marketed for the first time on AuctionsPlus on September 27.
Trent Heckendorf is quite excited about the new marketing option.
“This is a first for the group and I’m expecting it to be a great success,” he said.
This year the family plan to offer between 700 and 800 ewes of five to six months of age.
“We have been rebuilding our Merino flock with younger ewes from Andrew Scolari, “Maroomba”, Tomingley, who has been on Kerin Poll blood,” Mr Heckendorf said.
“As the price of ewes has risen considerable in recent times, we decided to sell our older matrons and replace them with 1000 ewes of 12 months of age last year and a similar number this year.
“Now we have done this we can carry out replacement programs in smaller numbers.”
Ewes are joined from October 1 for six to eight weeks, depending on seasons and then scanned after the main shearing in December.
The March/April drop lambs in the past “few” years have met dryer seasons and wethers have been sold off their mothers as early as possible.
“However, we keep the ewe lambs and their mothers on the best feed for our first cross resale program,” Mr Heckendorf said.
