The market signals for product produced by CENTRE PLUS indicate more than 50% of profits can be generated from surplus sheep sales.
The market signals for product produced by CENTRE PLUS indicate more than 50% of profits can be generated from surplus sheep sales.
With this in mind a new Flock ( Family )named LAMB PLUS is being formed at Centre Plus.
It is the policy of CENTRE PLUS MERINOS Pty Ltd to evaluate outside leading Sires against our own Sires.
This practice is for continual Benchmarking purposes, and recognizing that Studs selecting for a narrow trait range should move faster genetically for those traits than Centre Plus where selection pressure is on all the traits of a multi purpose merino.
In the past, the sires evaluated have always been selected for their potential fleece value and quality.
The main Breeding Objectives of the LAMB PLUS flock will be to dramatically increase fertility and milking ability of the ewes to produce highly profitable Terminal Dams, while maintaining the CENTRE PLUS wool performance.
This flock will be tested for all meat, milk, wool and reproductive traits.
In accordance with Centre Plus policy it has been decided to evaluate outside compatible Studs who may have genetic superiority for some traits, in the LAMB PLUS breeding objective.
The CENTRE PLUS position genetically at the moment is approximately the following :-
Ewes GFW 6.5 kg
FD 19.5 mic
BW 55 kg
Lambing 120 %
Milking equal to 1st X ewes
Sale ewe price Between Merino and 1st X ewe price
Wether weaner price Good merino price
The CENTRE PLUS LAMB PLUS Flock goal and challenge.
Ewes GFW 6.0 kg
FD 19.5 mic
BW 55 kg
Lambing 150 %
Milking equal to best 1st X ewes.
Sale ewe price Equal to best 1st X ewe price maybe a contract and premium.
Wether weaner price Prime lamb type price.
To revise PROFIT PROGRESS GM Ewe GM Hec
The original Gross Margin for CENTRE PLUS was $27.59 $82.78
The existing Gross Margin for CENTRE PLUS is $52.62 $152.60
The projected target Gross Margin for CENTRE PLUS could be $69.89 $190.44
The chosen Studs – Breeds to have a sire tested in this trial are :-
1. Australian Finnsheep 930057 Poll
A highly fertile meat sheep, link to Maternal Dam Trial.
Expected breed Lambing 180%
Breed average FD 21 mic
Small lambs at birth, fast growth rate
2. Waridale Green 14 Poll FD 21.8 mic @ 27 mts
Breed ex-UNE ½ Merino, ¼ Border Liecester, ¼ Poll Dorset.
A Dual Purpose breeding objective.
Expected breed Lambing 150%
Breed average FD 22 mic
Breed average FW 3.4 – 4.5 Kg
3. South African Meat Merino W-6451 Poll FD 19.6 mic @ 9 mts
A Meat Merino. ( 60% Meat, 40% Wool )
Expected breed Lambing 150% +
Breed average FD 22 - 23 mic
Breed average FW 3.4 – 4.5 Kg
4. Rambouillet Merino 2527 Horn
A large frame, dual purpose Merino from America
Expected breed Lambing 150%
Breed average FD 19 - 20 mic
Small lambs at birth, fast growth rate
5. Leahcim Merino Stud 292 Poll. FD 19.2 mic @ 15 mts
GFW 10 kg @ 8 mts wool FD 21.8 mic @ 24 mts
A 1.6 metre long, Gum Hill X Toland Poll. SRS Merino
6. Merinotech Mid-North 3051 Poll FD 19.6 mic @ 15 mts
GFW 139% FD -1.7 BW 138% FD 21 mic @ 27 mts
Largest progeny for an Australian Merino sire in CTSE.
Performs well in CTSE for all traits.
7. Pastora Merino Stud Purple-15 Poll FD 19.1 mic @ 12 mts
GFW 6.9 kg @ 5 mts wool GFW 109% FD dev -2.4
Large frames, established on ‘Gum Hill X Bond. SRS Merino.
Although future breeding decisions will be influenced, mainly by performance data as it becomes available, it is planned to mate the half cross animals back to ‘pure’ CENTRE PLUS creating a lot of quarter out cross’s to mix together.
If results look promising, a second group of out cross’s may be considered next year.