A PRIME lamb producer of more than 20 years decided stable and buoyant wool returns were good enough reasons to switch to using Merino rams to boost wool production.
Glen Loffler runs 450 breeding ewes on 800 hectares at Mannum.
The flock is separated into two mobs – 150 Merino ewes are joined to Dohne rams and 300 Dohne-Merino ewes are joined to White Suffolk rams.
The Merino ewe flock provides breeding replacement ewes for the F1 mob to produce prime lambs.
Mr Loffler said an F1 Dohne-Merino ewe offspring carried the large carcase and fast growth traits needed to meet the prime lamb market, but had reduced wool cut.
“The general consensus is the Dohne does not quite cut enough wool, but they certainly produce fantastic prime lambs,” he said.
"But lamb and wool markets have performed well for us in consecutive seasons, so I have decided to implement increased Merino genetics from next season onwards.”
Mr Loffler's original Merino ewe base was joined to SAMM rams, but he moved to Dohnes and White Suffolks seven years ago.
"The SAMM genetics produced a big-framed ewe but the wool quality was poor and it did not match the Merino wool and we had a split clip," he said.
So, from 2018, Merino genetics will be increased within both flocks, for improved wool quality and quantity.
“Merino studs are more aware of the importance of the prime lamb industry, so they are breeding a heavier type of sheep that we can use and get the best of both markets,” he said.
The top line ewes of both flocks will be joined to Merino rams and the remainder to White Suffolks, to retain prime lamb focused traits.
"We will retain the Dohne-Merino first-cross ewe to breed our crossbred lambs for the prime lamb market," Mr Loffler said.
"Our main focus had always been on prime lamb but with wool returns at 1000 cents a kilogram, it is worth pursuing the genetics to get extra wool on your sheep,” he said.
Mr Loffler estimates an increased value of $20 a head, once more Merino genetics are infused back into the flocks.
His average wool cut is 5kg/hd and the 19 micron fleece is sold at auction immediately after shearing.
The secondary lines of bellies and pieces are sold on-farm for a cash price.
He said although Dohne genetics helped produce a quality wool, ideally, increased Merino bloodlines could bump wool production up to 6-7kg/hd.
"We will put a heavy-cutting Merino ram back over the first-cross Dohne ewes and retain the ewe lambs for future breeders,” Mr Loffler said.
“This should breed ewes that grow more wool but maintain a large frame.”
Increase in value for lamb producer
A MOVE to two shearings could be included in Glen Loffler's new wool-focused operation.
Ewes and lambs are shorn in September but Mr Loffler’s plan to invest in contemporary wool genetics featuring a longer staple may allow a second shearing to be incorporated.
“Once I realised I would move the flock in a wool focused direction I had to change the shearing, too,” he said.
“As wool returns crept up gradually for past three to four years, I wanted to get the most from the wool I was growing.
"The mills are happy to chase that bit shorter wool, so the six-month-type wool has certainly got plenty of length in it to meet that market.
“When the new lambs arrive, I am eager to bring in a second shearing.”
