Returns from Merino wether lambs are placing Merino producers at the top of their game – if they look after them – according to Landmark stud stock specialist Rick Power, Grenfell.
In fact, in the last two years he says there has been a strong swing back to the Merino with commercial producers now realising their potential.
“I think we are going to continue to see the swing back this year,” Mr Power said.
“There are a lot of people starting to work out that prime lamb is not for everybody and there is good money if you look after your sheep and in particular if you look after your Merino wether lambs.
“Do it properly and you can create a pretty profitable enterprise.”
According to Mr Power most producers are turning off their wether lambs anywhere between nine and 12 months of age.
He said there have been returns recorded as high as $180, but the average price would be about $130 for their wether lambs in addition to the fleece of wool.
“That bigger money, the $140 or more for wether lambs, is contract, off the crop or been on feeders and well looked after,” Mr Power said.
“Three years ago there was probably a maximum of only three processors that wanted a Merino lamb and they were given a fair old discount.
“Now there are five or six processors wanting Merino lamb and the difference between cents per kilo is, at times, only 20 or 30 cents behind a second cross lamb.
The difference between cents per kilo is, at times, only 20 or 30 cents behind a second cross lamb
- Rick Power, Landmark stud stock specialist
“The attraction there, but the processors have done a hell of a job as well.
“Plus you still have the fleece of wool off them to get you off the ground.
A long standing Demondrille client are a prime example of a profitable Merino wether lamb enterprise.
Their wether lambs are weaned onto lucerne pastures, with access to grain through lick feeders.
They sell the wether portion at about 11 months of age into the lamb market always around the same time of year from mid to late July, which according to market analysts peaks from June through to July.
In 2014 their Merino wether lambs averaged $148.95 for the entire draft.
In 2015 the Brown’s entire mob of 420 Merino wether lambs averaged $157 and topped at $168.20.
They were shorn at seven months and netted $27 per head.
This year was better again and in 2106 they returned an average of $165 with tops reaching $173.
