Prior to adopting the concept of selecting Merino sheep according to the Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) philosophy, Stuart Kanaley had been breeding traditional Merinos on his 550 hectare mixed-farming operation “Hazeldene” near Junee.
Mr Kanaley joins his 1100 Merino ewes for a split lambing in mid-May and mid-August, and he is also aiming at shearing three times each two years.
“Our staple length is excessive for a 12 month shearing, and at eight months I am growing the optimum length for processing,” he said.
“We used to have a traditionally bred flock, based on fine wool bloodlines, but I felt there was room for improvement in our wool quality, the sheep’s frame and also management of our animals.”
When Mr Kanaley adopted the SRS techniques he found they allowed him to maintain his existing wool cut and micron, while increasing body size.
“We also reduced fly strike issues, and lifted the fertility of ewes which in turn is giving is a greater turnover of surplus animals,” he said.
“We are able to sell our wether lambs into the prime amrket targeting the local trade.”
Mr Kanaley said the SRS studs are providing the wool industry with opportunities to produce fibre which meets the ethical requirements of the most discerning markets whilst providing advantages for the wool production pipeline.
“By breeding our Merino sheep according to SRS concept, we can produce wool and an animal that our markets desire for the future,” he said.
“SRS is also giving us resilience and reproductive efficiency in our animals which have been selected for high muscle depth and fat cover.”
Mr Kanaley pointed out having a greater number of lambs surviving until classing, allows a more rapid improvement of his flock because of a higher culling percentage.
“Eventually there will be less wastage in my flock because we will be turning out so many animals of uniform standard, I will be able to expand our flock if required with quality animals,” he said.
Reduced working with bare breeches
Ron Blyth, Blyth Merinos, Adelong, is breeding Merino sheep according to Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) principles and said it is now possible for traditional breeders of Merino sheep to make their flocks easier to mange and more acceptable for both shearing and the animal welfare people.
“It is over ten years since I mulesed a sheep on my farm,” Mr Blyth said.
“Concentrating on ASBV’s that promote fertility with quality meat and wool with bare breeches produces offspring that require less work and give more profit.”
Besides having sheep which are very productive, Mr Blyth said running Merinos with bare breeches gives him more peace of mind on his farm.
“I have spent the past 20 year investing in A.I. and E.T. programs to develop a Merino that is easy care, that does not need mulesing, raises more lambs than the traditional Merinos I started with,” he explained. “I now have a flock which also produces more high processing wool than when I started.”
Mr Blyth said Australian Merino breeders have the chance to be world leader in best practice by caring for their Australian icon and sharing in the increased rewards.
