- Each year we artificially inseminate (AI) using the best rams available in Australia.
- Lambs are tagged, weighed at birth and dams recorded.
- Weaners are weighed.
- Weaners are faecal sampled for individual worm egg counts.
- Our Lambplan assessor, Trevor Pearce, weighs and ultrasound checks all lambs for fat and muscle at about 200 days.
- All data is collected, entered and submitted to Lambplan for assessment.
- Lambs with the best type, structure and Lambplan performance are kept for breeding.
- Prospective sires are genomic blood tested for eating quality and nasal swab tested for the Hr (hairless) gene.
- In 2019 four sire groups of ewe lambs were individually weighed and feed intake measured to determine feed conversion efficiency. Feed conversion in a feedlot and on pasture is a key profit driver. We are utilising the results to improve our genetic gain in food conversion.
Alan Sharrock with Ebony helping on the annual AI program