LOYAL Merino breeders in the Western Division of New South Wales are reaping the rewards of sticking with the breed as sheep and wool prices continue upwards, back-to-back good seasons, and continuous rain.
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Families who have been in the wool game for generations have stuck to what they know and have being doing well for years, and in the process, have been an inspiration to others.
Colin Clare, Limestone Station, between Silverton and Broken Hill, is relatively new to the pastoral game.
He has been on the station for 14 years and runs the dual-purpose Merino, for meat and wool.
Colin runs Limestone Station with wife Paula and children Trent and Blake, and his brother Trevor.
Before becoming a pastoralist, Colin and Trevor were in the mining industry in Broken Hill, and then ran outback roadhouses.
"We were frustrated retailers looking for life after the 24-hour service station," he said.
Colin bought the 607-hectare pastoral lease in 1996 which was stocked with Braford cattle at the time.
"We moved into Merino sheep very quickly," he said.
The reason for choosing Merinos and wool was a simple one for the Clare family.
"We just followed the best in the game," Colin said.
"We had a look around the region to see what the leading graziers were doing, and found they were all involved with Merinos.
"So that is what we got into."
Colin said he admired and respected a lot of his friends, and customers who he had met during his service station days, for their expertise in wool.
He runs up to 900 Merino ewes based on Mullorie bloodlines.
"We looked at the best and the best were doing Merinos," he said.
"We knew a few who were using Mullorie blood so that made the choice easy to get into. The support we have received - especially being new to the game - has been great.
"The style and structure of the Merinos we run are well suited to our country and they do well.
"No one has shown me a good enough reason to change from Merinos."
The average micron of the flock is seasonal dependent but is about 21 micron.
The sheep are shorn in August. Last year the flock cut 35 wool bales which sold for more than $1100 a bale.
Living close to town, Colin has no trouble getting shearers who are able to go home to their families each night.
*Full report in Stock Journal, March 15 issue, 2012.
