THE trade class of the interbreed lamb production – terminal competition is a great way of assessing breeding program decisions, according to Alan and Lyn Schinckel, Leenala stud, Naracoorte.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
“If we come to the show and only win one ribbon, that’s the one we’d pick,” Mrs Schinkel said.
The competition, which takes two young rams from Lambplan participating flocks, compares the animals on structural assessment, skin and wool, type for breed and suitability for either trade or export markets.
Leenala’s pair of Poll Dorset rams, on 223.41 points, won the export category in a tight finish, with only 0.2 points separating them from runner-up Valma Poll Dorset stud, Whitemore, Tas, while only 0.51 points separated Valma and Days Whiteface, Bordertown, in third.
Mr Schinckel said they have long been supporters of the competition.
“Everything is taken into consideration,” he said.
Mrs Schinckel said the class is a way to mark the progress of the stud.
“It’s about finding a good balance of sheep for the commercial sector, which is what we’re aiming for,” she said.
In the trade section of the competition, a pair of White Suffolk rams from Newbold stud, Gawler River, won on 224.96 points – 0.09 points ahead of runner-up Bundara Downs, Western Flat, while last year’s winner, Valma, was third.
Newbold stud principal Bill Close said it was “probably the most important class in the show for terminal breeders”.
“It gives results based on those things that can make financial rewards for our commercial breeders,” he said. “Trade and export are vitally important to our lamb industry. This is a good indication of our ability to use Australian Sheep Breeding Values to produce the lambs needed by the industry.”
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
