A tried and true sheep breeding system is ensuring Noel, Peter and Lorna Wilson are able to rebuild their flock following the drought that reduced their numbers by more than half.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Wilsons own and operate an aggregate of three properties at Ungarie, Central West NSW.
Peter runs the 985 hectares Truro Park, while Noel and Lorna take care of Carinya, a 768ha property and Wilga Forest, which is 863ha.
They normally run 2400 Merino ewes, however, like many producers, the drought impacted their carrying capacity.
"At the completion of the three-year drought we were down to 1100," Mr Wilson said.
"In early 2021, we purchased 850 Merino ewes ready to join in January.
"This was to start rebuilding our numbers again."
Their Merino ewes are joined to Cadell Border Leicester-bred rams.
The Wilsons have chosen to purchase rams from Cadell Border Leicester stud, Ariah Park, for more than four decades.
"We prefer the Cadell rams for their size and fertility," Mr Wilson said.
"Additionally they are accredited brucellosis-free, therefore resulting in a higher lambing percentage."
When selecting rams, the Wilsons prefer those with wool that is not too coarse, a good frame, plenty of length, good hindquarters, and evenness in their conformation.
In their replacement ewes, they focus on traits including fine wool micron, good hindquarters, frame, and prefer a plainer type of animal.
RELATED READING:
The wether portion of the flock is sold through McCarron, Cullinane and Chudleigh at Forbes Livestock Centre.
While their first-cross ewes are often kept on-farm (season permitting) until spring with the majority sold directly from the property to loyal return clients.
At the time of weaning in spring, all the lambs are grazed on lucerne pasture along with the gradual introduction of oat feeders.
"In November, the lambs are injected with a 6-in-1 and B12 vaccine, plus they receive a scabby mouth vaccine," Mr Wilson said.
"They are fed barley, lamb concentrate along with salt and lime.
"Gradually oats are introduced in self-feeders until the ration is one-quarter oats and three-quarters barley plus additives."
The three properties are a combination of native grasses and improved pastures.
"The ewe portion of the flock are put onto stubble after harvest to help them grow out," Mr Wilson said.
"They then go back to pastures as they are normally sold late winter to early spring as first-cross ewes."
