Rams need to pass the “elite” test

It’s been a practice of Michael and Linda Johnston and son, Matthew for some decades, and according to Mr Johnston has saved a lot of angst.

The new rams, whether homebred or purchased from outside, are joined to ewes among what the Johnstons calls their “elite” and the final decision rests on their progeny.

“We make a decision on their progeny when they mature at about 14 to 15 months,” Mr Johnston said.

“If we like what we are seeing and everything’s working for you, then those rams are introduced to the main flock.

“I have had some brought-in rams not pass the test. They might be expensive dog meat, but they would not be able to put the whole flock backwards.

“I admit I had two or three mistakes in the past when introducing new bloodlines, but never again,” he said.

“it takes a long time to get where you want to be, but it can take a very short time to stuff it all up.”

The Johnstons purchased the xxxx hectare Milburn Creek, in 1992 after owning property between Oberon and Taralga where they had begun their flock with the purchased of 150 cast-for-age ewes in each of two years from the Starr family’s Eschol Merino stud, Dalton.

“They were of Merryville blood back then and I introduced some rams from the Croker family, Crookwell,  and other studs over the years, but always bred my own rams for the flock,” Mr Johnston said.

“We then moved to Centreplus rams for six to seven years and last year purchased at Bogo sale, Yass.”

Conception rate is high at Milburn Creek. Of the 3000 ewes scanned last year only 270 were dry and they were mostly maiden ewes.

“We give the maidens a second chance, but older ewes are sold,” Mr Johnston said.

Some 2800 Merino ewes of all ages are joined to Merino rams while another 1000 consisting of cast-for-age and classed-out maidens are put to Border Leicester and White Suffolk rams for prime lamb production.

The Johnstons don’t scan for twins, just wet-and-dry and lamb in June and July.

Maiden Merino ewes’ lambing percentage is at 115 per cent while older ewes will lamb at up to 120pc to 125pc.

Ewes joined for first-cross lambs will lamb at up to 130pc to 150pc depending on seasons.

“Ewes joined to meat breeds are very profitable,” Mr Johnston said.

“They’ll grow about $80 worth of wool and produce a lamb. One hundred ewes produce 125 lambs, that’s good value.”

The first-cross lambs are sold over the hooks mid-November to Thomas Foods, Tamworth while Merino wethers sell to Swifts in Melbourne, Victoria.

“We try to get the wethers to dress at 27 kilograms, but that depends on the years. In harder years we’ll offload them at seven months for a 22kg weight on the hook”

The Milburn Creek flock has been displayed at both Mid Lachlan Merino flock ewe competitions.

Last year it won the people’s choice while this year was overall runner-up flock.

“We won the eastern flock on the second day and the best medium flock.”