It’s exciting times for Merino breeders according to Hay Merino Breeders Association president Graham Morphett, Booligal, NSW when contacted this week.
“These are one in a generation times,” he said.
“We have high or record prices being received for wool, mutton and lamb, and we have a once in generation season that is driving phenomenal growth.”
And this outstanding season is exceptionally widespread he said.
“I know this from my family’s own personal travel experiences whereby family members have traveled from Hay to Eyre Peninsula, SA and Hay to Melbourne over the past 10 days and the countryside is the same colour green all the way in both directions.”
“And I understand the further east you travel from Hay the wetter in becomes.”
Mr Morphett described his local own season as a true-blue Hay Plains’ winter.
East of Hay it is very wet following a lot of rain in July while to the west of Hay it is nicely placed, where phenomenal growth in trefoil and native grasses can be found.
“It’s absolutely perfect weather heading into spring,” Mr Morphett said.
“The past two weeks have seen mild 21-degree temperatures and virtually no wind which is benefitting the livestock.”
Shearing in the district he said is in full swing.
Wool cuts are heavier than normal, the wool is clean and both ewes and their lambs are putting on weight which is benefitting management.
Mr Morphett said Hay agents are reporting good inquiry ahead of the two main annual breeders’ sales this year being held on Friday, September 24 and Friday October 21.
Expected numbers of about 45,000 head for the September sale he said won’t be as grand as in previous years. Lambing rates last year he said were rather disappointing hence fewer young ewes are expected while a number of breeders are expected to hold back greater numbers of five year-old and older ewes in a planned effect to take advantage of the exceptional season.
Lambing percentages this season he said have varied enormously. Breeders who commenced lambing before the the May break in the weather have been rather disappointed as ewes walked away from their lambs. However those who lambed after the break have reported excellent results, some well above the 100 percent mark.
It has all depended on when the rams went out, Mr Morphett said.
Drafts of Merino wether lambs being sold as unshorn young lambs he said are expected to commence before the end of the month with good numbers starting in early September.
It will be interesting to see if breeders chase the money or opt to delay for weight gain, either way results should be good be predicts.