Southern Victorian Merino Field Day: Optimism as price rises

IN A year where the eastern market indicator hit a 10-year high, stud Merino breeders are looking forward to the selling season with optimism.

Sizing it up: With wool prices at a 10-year high, Merino breeders are confident there will be heightened demand for top Merino genetics, including traits that help waterproof flocks in the wetter, southern districts.

IN A year where the eastern market indicator hit a 10-year high, stud Merino breeders are looking forward to the selling season with optimism.

Wool prices have steadily increased, with the eastern market indicator closing at 1550c/kg clean last week compared with 1300c/kg for the same week last year.

Southern Victorian Merino Field Days president Pat Millear said he expected strong wool and sheep prices combined with another good season in the region would increase demand for Merino genetics.

“Due to the high gross margins being achieved in the Merino enterprise, we would anticipate strong interest in ram sales this year,” Mr Millear said.

“With the genetics on offer from leading Merino studs in our group, the opportunities to join more Merinos are increasing.”

Since January, wool prices have continued to rise, breaking longstanding records and Mr Millear said the longevity of the strengthened market would give sheep farmers’ confidence to invest back in to the industry.

“Merino producers have been experiencing good sheep and wool prices this year and for a few years before and that would give them confidence and security which is important for them when investing in quality rams,” he said.

To achieve those good wool returns from Merino sheep, Mr Millear said it was important to invest in reliable genetics.

“In this southern region it’s a fairly harsh climate, and the sheep are wet for long periods of time, it can test their wool quality out a bit, how waterproof they are and how much rain they can handle,” he said.

“I’m very confident in all of the studs I’ve seen in our group (Southern Victorian Merino Field Days), the rams are all very environmentally suited to high rainfall.

“Strong early growth rates in our sheep also make Merino breeding a valuable enterprise giving farmers further money making opportunities.”

At Coryule Merino stud, at Willowvale, manager Craig Trickey said like last year his sheep had experienced wet conditions with above average rainfall.

Coryule will offer 54 rams for sale and Mr Trickey said potential buyers would look for the bloodline’s doing ability.

“The rams that will be presented up for sale have had 450mm of rain on them since they were shorn, which would be above average,” Mr Trickey said. “They’re looking pretty good now so they only need a bit more sunshine.”

Rob Coutts, of Ioness Poll as Lake Bolac, said access to good pastures again this year provided a strong foundation for his rams.

“As far as the season goes, it has been about average rainfall or slightly higher than average, but there was moisture still in the profile from the previous year it did seem wet,” Mr Coutts said

“Things are drying out now, but everything looks well.

“Pastures are firing now that they are getting a bit of sunshine.”