For much of its long history, Bobbara Station, a large landholding in the southwest slopes near Galong ran a tightly controlled flock of quality Merino sheep, which had in recent years been bred using Haddon Rig genetics.
But in the mid 2000’s, the decision was made by the then owners and management of the large property to move away from breeding Merino sheep for their wool, towards a large scale sheep enterprise which focused upon meat production.
With a change of ownership in 2010, the present proprietors of the 4500ha aggregation, Union Agriculture have continued to lift the quality of prime lamb producing flock on Bobbara Station.
Current manager Rob McColl has been associated with the property since 2002 and recalls the break with the traditional Merino wool growing flock.
One reason the direction of the flock was changed was to move away from the wool industry at a time when returns from pure wool growing were less than comparable prime lamb flocks
- Rob McColl
“One reason the direction of the flock was changed was to move away from the wool industry at a time when returns from pure wool growing were less than comparable prime lamb flocks,” Mr McColl said.
“Another driving force in the change towards prime lambs was the move away from mulseing.”
Mr McColl added that the general consensus at the time between owner and management was the future of red meat seemed more assured and therefore more profitable.
“We are confident with the decision and are pretty happy with the returns from our sheep enterprise,” he said.
Currently, 8200 prime lamb dams are grazed alongside 600 Angus cows joined to Wyagu bulls and complementing 1500ha of annual winter crop.
Following a successful trial using Meat Plus rams as dual purpose sires over Primeline ewes, Mr McColl said the entire ewe flock will be joined to Meat Plus sires purchased from Tony Rutter, Brookland Lamb, Tarcutta, next season.
“We feel they have better growth rates and with their higher meat production potential have a better doing ability with increased survivability,” he said.
“They are also a self-replacing maternal breed which does away with the need to have a second breeding program to produce the base ewes.”
Mr McColl emphasised the breeding program is motivated by its simplicity, with less work involved with a straight-bred flock.
The ewes are joined for a July/August lambing as it fits in with the seasonal pasture growth in that part of the southwest slopes.
“We prefer to have our lambs at least a month old by the time spring starts, and they are mature enough to benefit from the extra growth curve of feed, which also promotes increased milk production from the ewes,” Mr McColl said.
The ewes are scanned and the latest above average marking percentages indicate a flock with high fertility heritability.
"These ewes consistently perform," assistant manager Matt Cummins said.
"The benefits of high fertility, high growth rates and excellent do ability plus now closing the flock with Meat Plus rams only backs this part of the program."
Mr Cummins said the lambs are also introduced to grain from an early age as creep gates are placed in lambing paddocks and the ewes lead their lambs to the supplementary feed.
Mr McColl said early imprinting of grain upon the lambs from the day they are born makes it easier to introduce them to supplementary feeding if necessary.
The latest season on Bobbara Station has been as exciting as any across the state, which has allowed management to take their lambs through to their full potential.
Mr McColl has a spread of sale options at his pleasure and markets his stock to best advantage.
“We spread our risk rather than rely on one sale outlet,” he said.
“Our tops are purchased by the trade at 22-24kg dressed, and we have just had an on-property sale where 3432 lambs sold to top of $118.”
Mr McColl is supported in his management by a strong team led by assistant manager Matt Cummins.
“Matt is experienced and crucial to the daily operation of the property,” he said.
“He is responsible for the strategic plan of the stock business and runs the livestock as he sees necessary.”