Breeding Merinos to meet market specifications

摘要

Fine-tuning Merino sheep management to take advantage of the flock's genetic potential to meet specific market orders is paying dividends for a western Victorian superfine wool growing business. Michael Blake, Bally Glunin Park, Hamilton, has started a program of shearing every eight months rather than 12 months to ensure his clip meets the order specifications of Italian spinners who are interested in the type of wool he is growing. But according to Blake, shearing interval is just one sheep and pasture management initiative that combine to produce exceptional wool buyer interest in his clip. The Bally Glunin Park flock is selfreplacing, containing a small nucleus to breed rams for the commercial flock. Sheep consultant Murray Elliott classes theflock. While based on Saxon blood, the flock has been infused with Merryville genetics and in the 1990s has been influenced by elite wool selection without becoming overawed by it. In fact, the clip is characterised by containing a long staple, style and softness in both traditional and elite style lines.