Glendemar MPM Ram Sale Preview

For a catalogue got to https://www.glendemarfarm.com/glendemar-mpm-1

 

Ram Sale - 4th of October at 3pm - 130 Poll & Horn Rams

We will present 130 Poll and Horn Rams, straight out of the paddock and with current ASBV's.  We have added the top 1% to this years catalogue with some great numbers coming through.  Rams look in great order and with the current wool, lamb, mutton and surplus sheep markets all providing great returns, it is a great time to be in Merino's.

You will notice in the rams sale catalogue and the breeding objective document that we are selecting for Post Weaning (200-220 days) traits for growth, muscle and fat.  This is different to the industry where most of the figures are quoted at Yearling (300-330 days).  We believe that Post Weaning is more of a sweet spot for wether lamb turn off and ewe lamb joining's.  Combined with high muscle and fat we are seeing that our sheep are maturing earlier, hitting their mature weight earlier and then maturing into 70-75 kg ewes.  

BREEDING OBJECTIVE

We have updated our breeding objective in the past few month.  Our original breeding objective was done in 2011 and we have made some terrific progress in that time.  The pleasing thing is that all traits are moving forward at a similar rate.  We are proving that with a balanced focus on key traits we can continue to make good progress with productivity traits, but more importantly on traits that also save money and perform under adverse environments.  We have calculated our genetic gain over the past 5 years and believe that the targets we have set for 2017 are very achievable.  Never before have I been more confident in the progress we can make with a combination of ASBV's, subjective classing, DNA testing, individual animal testing, artificial insemination and embryo transfer.  Moving into the 2018 breeding program we have 1300 ram breeding ewes that have some great depth.  Averages for these 1300 classed in ewes are PWT +5.3 (Top 10%), PFAT +0.9 (Top 10%) PEMD +1.8 (Top 5%) YCFW +14.3 (Top 40%).  

WOOL DEMAND

After 16 years of being non-mulesed we are now starting to see some very solid interest in our wool.  Currently we have a couple of small contract's and have some wool in a trial for a large fashion brand.  Never before have we seen fashion brands want to get closed to the woolgrower.  With the likely increase in demand for non-mulesed wool, and also wool that has been certified to a standard, i.e.; New Zealand Merino's ZQ program, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and New Merino, we expect more brands want to get closer to the woolgrower.  There is now value in brands forming partnerships with woolgrower's, for providence, consistent quality, traceability and the opportunity to tell consumers the producer's "story".  With technology and a customer base that is wanting to get closer to the primary producer, I believe that opportunities will continue to present for people that can meet these standards.  From my point of view I think producers should embrace these standards, as most of you would be doing what they require now.  It also presents an opportunity for producers to update and up skill their business practices, all which will be of great benefit for the future.

We would like to invite you all to come along to this years ram sale.  We believe that this is by far the best line up of sale rams, all with terrific ASBV's, many in the top 10% and above, but also showing great phenotype for the animal that we wish to breed.  It is great to hear the positive feedback from clients, many that are moving into 6 month shearing, have rapid turnoff of wether lambs, at some great weights, have lambing percentages pushing 130+, are successful in gaining extra lambs out of ewe lambs and increasing the quality and quantity of wool, all on easy care non-mulesed animals.

Picture - Ben Duxson - Glendemar MPM