Merino breeders are being encouraged to nominate their top young rams to be evaluated in the SA Merino Sire Evaluation Trial at Keyneton Station.
The SA trial – supported by Merino SA – will measure and score the progeny of 14 sires and two link sires for structure, wool and carcase traits, all run under the same conditions at the Barossa Valley property.
Each sire will be joined to 60 of Keyneton Station’s 3.5 to 4.5 year old ewes in an AI program, in January next year.
Site host Joe Keynes said it was evident there was a diversity of wool types and skin characteristics in the first drop of lambs born in June.
Weaning weights have been recorded on each of the ewe and wether lambs, but DNA results to determine the pedigree of each animal are still pending.
Mr Keynes encouraged all Merino studs to consider nominating their top sires for the second cohort.
“It is important that we have a representation of sires from across different areas,” he said.
“It is a fantastic time to be breeding Merinos with really great returns but it is important we don’t just breed the best (looking) sheep but the most profitable.”
He says it is a terrific opportunity to validate Australian Sheep Breeding Values comparing and measuring the visual traits of the animals with the ASBV’s of their sires.
“This will help give us some confidence that ASBVs are the way of the future and a really good tool for breeders to use,” he said.
Twenty six nominations were received for 2017 and site chairman Roger Fiebig is hoping to attract even more for the 2018 intake.
The site committee has a preference for young and polled sires but Mr Fiebig said other sires may also be considered.
‘We believe SA has some of the best genetics with a lot of sheep from this state heading to other states but this is a chance for us to see how good we really are,” Mr Fiebig said.
Studs with sires accepted into the trial will be required to supply 62 doses of semen and pay an entry fee of $3000 plus GST.
Entries close at 5pm October 30.
- Details: Roger Fiebig 0407 568 786 or Joe Keynes 0428 648 235