Good value clip leads Corriedale renaissance

VIDEO: CORRIEDALE sheep are returning to the spotlight for their “good value” clip in the wool market price hike. WATCH NOW.

CORRIEDALE sheep are returning to the spotlight for their “good value” clip amid a wool market price hike.

Corriedale breeder Bron Ellis of Mount Moriac, west of Geelong, said their crossbred micron ranges had fared well in the price climb.

“Our micron range is from 26 to 28, so it’s obviously not as high as Merino prices but it’s still very good value at the minute,” she said.

The 28-micron price guide has climbed steadily, gaining almost 200c since the start of March.

At the start of last year, the 28-micron indicator was only 655c/kg and the 26-micron indicator was just short of 900c/kg. They are now 1101c/kg and 1508c/kg.

Bron runs the Sweetfield Corriedale Stud of 200 Corriedale sheep and typically shears once a year, in November, and sells the wool a month later.

“As a dual purpose breed, you’re breeding for meat and wool. So if wool prices are up and your meat prices are down, it’s versatile — essentially a bet each way.

“The lambs that aren’t up to scratch are sold for meat.”

Choosing to breed Corriedale sheep was easy for Bron — it’s in her family history.

“I grew up on a Corriedale sheep farm so I definitely have a soft spot for them. The ewes have a quieter nature and are easier to handle,” she said. “They are self-replacing and because I’m only on 40ha, I only keep the best of my ewe lambs.”

Bron said the breed was attracting a new wave of younger growers in Australia.

“We’ve distributed Corriedales through some agricultural schools,” she said.

“They’re a good breed of sheep to take on entering the industry because of their nature and mothering instinct.”

Elders district wool manager Elliot Lindley said interest in Corriedale wool was coming out of Europe.

“There is demand as Corriedales are preferred crossbred wool in strength and style,” he said.

Mr Lindley said big buyers in the Czech Republic used the Corriedale wool in knitwear, interior textiles and fine wool furnishings.

He said there was a core group of Corriedale growers in Tasmania, New Zealand and South America.

“They are a versatile breed. The Corriedales are harder in the feet so are preferred in higher rainfall environments,” he said.

He said Corriedale wool was often blended with a finer Merino clip.

The Corriedale World Congress is on July 18. The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is in Bendigo on July 20-22.