Structure is key at Berridale

The McGuffickes focus is their commercial woolgrowing operation and their Greendale Merino stud, but the crossbred production is the perfect fit for the tougher country at Berridale.

The family - Alan and Michelle McGufficke and Mark and Karen McGufficke - joins 2500 classed out Mernio ewes to Border Leicester rams, selling the progeny as store lambs.

They've been using Retallack rams for the past seven years, and Mark McGufficke said they're after rams with good structure, that will produce a good, even line of lambs.

"With the Border Leicester rams we're looking at body shape, structure, shoulders for lambing ease, and good feet, as well as a good balance of Stockscan data figures," Mr McGufficke said.

Classed out ewes, from two to six years of age, go into the crossbred production.

"Murlingbung averages 1200m above sea level, on the western side near Lake Eucumbene," Mr McGufficke said.

"We don't lamb up there until October, then we sell the lambs in early February."

Mr McGufficke's goal is to turn off lambs as quickly as possible, unless it's an exceptional season.

"We have improved pastures - phalaris, cocksfoot and clover - but it's not fattening country, so they're sold straight off mum."

This years lambs were sold over AuctionsPlus and averaged 23kg at four months.

"We probably should grow the ewes out and get more for them, but it's been dry, then we had the fires not far away from us," Mr McGufficke said.

"The ewe lambs averaged $147 at 23kg, and we didn't have to shear or drench - all I did was tail them and sell them."

Adding Murlingbung to the business in 2017 has allowed the family to focus on woolgrowing on the other three properties in the Cooma area.

"The crossbred production is pretty low maintenance with not too many inputs, and if we have the feed then we'll run the dry sheep up there as well, and some wethers."