By JO HARRISON
PROGENY from top Merino and Poll Merino Sires will be unveiled to local merino breeders at the New England Merino Sire Evaluation Association’s field day held at ’Coningdale’ Armidale on Friday 26 July.
The New England Central Test Sire Evaluation has been running for more than 20 years on research stations and commercial producer properties.
Last year’s sire evaluation was conducted at Jock and Shara Menzies property ’Coningdale’ joining 15 merino and poll merino sires from studs across Australia. Local New England studs have featured prominently.
“The idea is that we join all the sires (rams) through artificial insemination to 50 ewes each,” Jim Meckiff from the NSW DPI said.
“Last year we artificially inseminated 750 ewes with just under 700 progeny being evaluated for various stages of growth through to an adult age.
“This gives commercial and stud breeders a good benchmarking tool to see how different studs and sires perform at a set location.”
Progeny are evaluated for weaning weight, adult and hogget growth weights and various wool traits. Animals are also individually classed on a series of visual subjective and objectively measured traits.
“Simple test score evaluations are important because it actually feeds information into sheep genetics which enables animals that are evaluated at a central test site to gain Australian Sheep breeding Values (ASBV), which then allows that animal to be benchmarked to all other animals in Merino Select,” Mr Meckiff said.
“It is a fantastic way of gauging where you are at and also showing commercials breeders where you are at in terms of other animals within the industry.”
The field day will also include guest speakers and trade displays from agribusiness service providers, animal husbandry representatives and industry research and development organisations including CSIRO, Sheep Genetics, NSW DPI and Sheep CRC.
Discussions will include sheep genetics, economic outlook for agriculture, animal health including flystrike and worms and precision sheep management.
Breakout
Where: Jock and Shara Menzies’ property ’Coningdale’
Chandler Road, Armidale
Directions: 22 km NE Armidale on Rockvale Rd, turn onto Chandler Rd for 12.5 km, Woolshed on the left (look for DPI signs).
When: Friday 26 July
Time: 10.30am-3.30pm
Morning and afternoon tea along with a barbecue lunch provided by field day sponsors.
RSVP: Friday 19 July to Jim Meckiff
jim.meckiff@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Enquires: Mob: 0428 968 159
