Muscle in focus for Springwaters Poll Merino stud

Springwaters is run by Dane and Lisa Rowley, along with Dane's parents Dennis and Jo-Anne Rowley, who established the stud in 1979.

The stud was moved from the Monaro region to Boorowa, NSW, in 2004, and now includes 1000 stud ewes, producing 350 sale rams each year.

Springwaters stud has a consistent focus on phenotype, structural soundness and heavy muscling, stud principal Dane Rowley said.

"We want all our rams to be peas in a pod, maximising the consistency for our commercial clients progeny," Mr Rowley said.

"With help from our AI (artificial insemination) programs we breed from a small selection of proven sires, allowing our customers to buy lines of rams with the top genetics in the breed."

Springwaters genetics have gone to producers across the country, including a number of leading Poll Dorset studs.

Most of the Springwaters client base targets the sucker market, with many buyers throughout southern NSW, in the Riverina, the South-West Slopes and Southern Tablelands, including strong support from the Monaro area.

"We strive to produce rams that produce consistent early growth targeting the suckers markets," Mr Rowley said.

"Some seasons up to 40 per cent of our rams go straight over Merino ewes so breeding a shape that supports lambing ease is a priority to us and our clients.

"Our clients are professional lamb producers who view buying rams as an opportunity to maximise their return from their sheep operations - not just buying any old ram to chuck over their ewes.

"They are increasingly particular in selecting rams for traits that are profit drivers for their businesses."

The stud has held an on-property sale at Corcorans Plains, Boorowa, since 2004, which has grown from 60 rams to this year's 210-ram offering on October 1.

The 2021 draft will be headlined by progeny from leading sires, Pocock 66-16 and Guinness 18-22.

"This will be the third year clients are able to purchase rams sired by Pocock, will bring up 200 sons sold through the sale ring.

"He continues to produce lambs with exceptional muscling and heavy bones," Mr Rowley said.

"From recent carcase trial data, Pocock ranks in the top 10pc for IMF (intramuscular fat) on ASBVs, an impressive trait coupled with his early growth."

Guinness is another sire to watch, with the first commercial offering his progeny including the top-priced ram from the 2020 Springwaters sale, which made $16,000.

"Guinness produces exceptional growth rates and he is just full of meat.

"He currently sits in the top 5pc for post weaning weight."