Merino breeders will be able to compare the first progeny born into the SA Merino Sire Evaluation Trial, at a field day on June 22.
More than 550 progeny from 16 sires, born from an extensive AI program in early 2017, will be on display at Keyneton Station in the Barossa Valley.
Trial committee chairman Roger Fiebig says the event presents a fantastic opportunity to inspect these animals drafted into their sire lines, plus access the data collected.
“This is the only Merino sire evaluation site in SA and has received tremendous support from ram breeders and many industry service providers,” Mr Fiebig said.
A number of measurements have been collected on the woolly,June/July 2017-drop sheep, including body weights at weaning.
Last week, the animals were mid side sampled for wool traits and scanned for eye muscle area and fat, and Classings Limited’s Bill Walker visually classed them.
Presenters at the field day will include Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association executive officer Ben Swain, who will discuss how to interpret the data, and Australian Wool Innovation’s genetics and animal welfare advocacy manager Geoff Lindon who will discuss his portfolio.
Trial host Joe Keynes says it will be a “top day” to view the sheep as well as some of the latest technology for the sheep industry.
"We have had some seasonal challenges and this was highlighted by the range of animals classed out last week,” he said. “There was a real range from some excellent sheep to others doing it tough.”
The day runs from 11am-3pm.
- Details: Site coordinator Anna Cameron 0403 747 332 or acameron@yalumba.com
