Where It Counts, Client Success

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

A HUGE congratulations to Des and Irene Ryan (Des Ryan pictured below with Mitch Rubie), who have been using Lachlan genetics for the

past 15 years, in their recent results at the Australian Merino Production Trial.

Based on a five-year average wool and sheep values, their team produced outstanding results, recording:

• Highest Clean Fleece Weight Team – 6.1kg, 31% above the trial average
• Highest Greasy Fleece Weight Team – 9.8kg, 24% above the trial average
• 5th Overall for Total Sheep Value (fleece + mutton) – $212.46, $18.28 per head above the trial average
• $308 Carcass Value per Head in the carcass component of the trial

Given current wool market conditions, these values would likely be much higher today.

These results demonstrate the ability of Lachlan-bred sheep to combine elite wool production with outstanding carcass performance, generating strong returns from multiple income streams.

A fantastic achievement by the Ryan family and another great example of how balanced, production-focused merino genetics can drive outstanding profitability.

The Australian Merino Production Trial (AMPT) is the largest commercial evaluation of merino genetics in the country. These trials not only help improve commercial operations but also allow us, as a seedstock enterprise, to continue advancing through informed decision-making, visual selection and accurate data.

A big thank you to everyone involved in making the event a success, especially Craig and Karen Wilson for their longstanding contribution to the industry, and the Fletcher International team at Kiagathur Station, Condobolin, for their excellent stock management.

The trial consists of 74 teams representing 40 bloodlines, and Lachlan genetics once again ranked among the leading performers in the trial.

This performance also builds on the success achieved by the Jones family in the previous AMPT, where their Lachlan-bred team also recorded the highest Clean Fleece Weight and highest Greasy Fleece Weight, and also the highest valued overall team in the first year.

This marks two consecutive Australian Merino Production Trials in which Lachlan bloodlines have produced the heaviest-cutting team in the trial, highlighting the consistency and wool-growing, carcase and growth capacity of the genetics under commercial conditions.

Few bloodlines can consistently perform at this level across both wool and meat traits under a commercial benchmarking system.

Ben Schilg, Piney Range Pastoral

We introduced Lachlan rams in 2014 chasing early growth and shape, but not wanting to deviate away from the white, well-nourished waxy wools of our ewe base. We have been really impressed with what the Lachlan genetics have added to our flock. Moving to a 8-month shearing in 2011, with wool cut anywhere from 5.5 to 6.5kg to average 9kg prt year (18.7 micron latest test result in March main ewes) without compromising on fertility (130% lambs weaned to ewes joined consistently). The Lachlan sheep have got the balance right and provided us with the production we were chasing.

Congratulations to Ben Schlig and family on their recent success at the Hay Sheep Show. Their 2023 Hay include; 1st pen of flock ewes, 2nd pen of flock ewes, Champion flock ewe, Reserve Champion flock ewe, 1st Best 2 ewes from any class, Supreme Champion pen flock ewes, Most successful Flock section. Great to see passionate merino breeders being recognized, and also great to see the next generation getting amongst it!!

Maree Stockmann, Greg & Linda Thomas

Congratulations to Maree Stockmann, Greg & Linda Thomas, Lake Cargelligo, who won the people’s choice awards at the 2023 Lake Cargelligo Maiden Ewe competition earlier this year. The change and improvement in their sheep have been remarkable, since changing to Lachlan genetics in 2014. They have a breeding nucleus of 1800 ewes, with last year weaning 2200 lambs, and they have gone from cutting 5 ½ kg of wool to 8 ½ kg of wool in the press. The width and shape, as well as nourished white wools and follicle density improvement has been a standout. Congratulations once again.

Mark, Carol & Brad Jones, Condobolin

Since changing to Lachlan blood nearly 20 years ago, the improvement in our sheep has been dramatic. Our wool & sheep have improved in all areas, including whiteness, length, softness, cut, ease of shearing and our length of bodies are longer, making our sheep a great dual-purpose sheep.

The impact of Lachlan Merinos’ sheep has exceeded our expectations. We were overwhelmed by our wins in the 2011 Don Brown, the NSW CW ewe comp. Our wool cut has gone from 6kg to 9kg.”

In the 2023 Australian Merino Production Trial, the Jones’ sheep have performed extremely well. Out of 50 teams from 37 different bloodlines, including Dohnes, the Jones’ wethers have the highest body and carcase weights. Exciting results, backing up Lachlan Merinos’ breeding goals which have set Lachlan Merinos’ apart for the past 2 decades.

Mark, Louise, Richard & Amy Ellis, Panuara

We started buying Lachlan Merino Rams in 2019, looking for improved growth rates and carcase traits, and increased wool cuts.

Since purchasing our first rams we have seen back-to-back well above average wet years and have yet to see any colour or blemishes in the ram’s wool, while still achieving exceptional wool cut, with one ram cutting 12kg for 6 months growth.

We have found the rams to be exceptionally fertile with very pleasing scanning results. This year when a line of 530 3yr old ewes were scanned, after 125 ewes ewes were scanned without a single empty ewe found, we opened the gate and let them go, and 94% of ewes scanned in lamb across the rest of the flock. Sam Beath of Uralba Livestock Scanning, says he has never scanned that many ewes and had no dry ewes.

Glen and his family have been extremely helpful and have been a pleasure to deal with. We are excited and looking forward to seeing where we can take our flock with Lachlan Merinos.

Neil Harris, Costerfield, Victoria

We have been using Lachlan Merinos’ rams for many years now, and what we have noticed is that the wool is becoming very pronounced in the crimp, has great whiteness and softness in handle. When selling the wool, it is actively bid on by many buyers, which is pleasing. The sheep are now bigger frame, plainer and very productive. They mature quickly and can produce a considerable quantity of wool per head at high stocking rates. They had no problem withstanding the almost 1000mm of rain last year as well.

Lachlan Merinos would like to congratulate Neil Harris, who was named the 2022 ACM Lambition Awards winner of the Elanco sustainable producer of the year. Sustainability is something that Neil has been passionate about and working hard at for more than 20 years now. Focusing on sustainability of soil health on his properties over this time, has certainly paid off, and he is now reaping the benefits in terms of improved yields, animal health, productivity and land health. We applaud you for your innovation and look forward to what you do in the future.

Des and Irene Ryan, Gidginbung

"We have been using LachIan Rams for over 10 years and in that time our micron has dropped by almost 2.5 micron whilst maintaining woolcut. The wool on the LachIan sheep was what attracted me to the stud initially with their long stapled, bold, deeply crimped, lustrous, waxy white wool which is coming through in our sheep now.

It looks like 2020 will be the first season for many years where these traits will be able to express their full potential. Frame and fertility are also pleasing aspects of our sheep, with hogget ewes weighing up to 95kg. Pre-lambing and mature ewes averaged 153% scanning over the past 5 years.

Shearability has also improved, I recently overheard our shearers discussing another client and the suggestion was made that he should buy his rams where the Ryan's buy theirs.'

Kevin & Therese Welsh

“Round Range, Eugowra switched over to Lachlan Merinos’ rams in 2003. We have been extremely happy with these large framed, fast growing, plain sheep. We have consistently focused on reducing micron and increasing wool cut. This year, we successfully switched to 8 months shearing because of rapid wool growth, with a length of 70-80 mm in this time. Our wool is consistently soft and bright, now with a top neutron strength of 60!

We run 700 ewes of 18.2-micron wool and are currently increasing our ewe numbers. Our wethers grow 8kg of fleece each year, equating to $100 of wool/ wether/ year!

We have decided to cease mulesing, as the sheep are long bodied, easy care and less susceptible to fly strike. We have proudly provided wool for, “The Fit for a Prince” and “The Baggy Green” projects.

We congratulate Glen and Margot and the boys on their professionalism, ongoing assistance, support and expertise.”

Allan, Terry and Leonard Knight, Grenfell

Lachlan sheep are a genuine true dual purpose animal providing high wool cuts, early maturing attributes, high fertility rates with deep crimping well-nourished wool.

“The fertility trait flows right through the flock, this year scanning 140pc in lamb, last year 160pc.” Our wether lambs made $167 and ewes grossing $225.35.