What Makes Lachlan Merinos Different?

For over 30 years, Lachlan Merinos’ has selected for fast growth rates in young sheep, which is vital for modern sheep-breeders, in terms of major financial gains that can be made by selling merino lambs in the prime lamb market. This principle also has benefits in maiden ewes, with improved conception rates.

In 1994, ABC Landline produced a story about Lachlan Merinos selling merino lambs into the Sydney restaurant market. Lachlan Merinos were pioneers in this area, decades before the merino industry were selecting for not only wool quality & quantity, but also for early maturity & meat. 

Lachlan Merinos uses commercial reality, by pregnancy scanning, classing, weighing, selecting ewes & rams at 10 months of age. We believe that the 1st 12 months is the most important for growth. This turns into commercial profit. The size of the sheep after this age, as an adult is not as important.  

Our sire’s success has been exciting over the past few years with a number of rams dominating and excelling in sire evaluations and ASBVs for growth rates, CFW, classes tops to culls, WEC, N.L.W.N, setting new standards and being used as link sires around Australia.

NB. LM 30 has a growth rate, +13.6YWT.

Lachlan Merinos semen has been sold to studs Australia Wide, including NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA and Argentina and Uruguay.

1995: Broke the record for the heaviest merino lamb over the hook at Burrangong Abattoirs, Young. Dressed 39.8kg. 

2004 (July): Merino lambs $128.00, 6 wks off shears (new Midstate Saleyards record) 

2006: 2 LM teams came 1st & 2nd in the National Lamb Challenge with highest value carcase (carcases dressed at 42.2kg) and fleece. 

2009 (May): 9-month-old Merino Lambs $109 (off shears)

2013 (June): 10-month-old wether lambs brought $137+$48.40 fleece = $185.40 

2014: A son of Lachlan LM 77 won the Production Class at Australian Dubbo Nationals 17.1 mic, 16.9kg. 150 kgs Sold by RP to WA. 

2016: 10-11-month wether lambs for $183 + $36 fleece = $219 

2016: Top price poll: $18,000, cut 12.2kg wool, 18.2mic. Only 7 months wool.

2017: Bendigo Finals Australia’s junior top 6 pairs (ram and ewe), 2 studs had Lachlan Merino genetics (Poll LM 179 & Horn Ram LM62)

2017: Private ram sale to Rogara Poll Merino stud, $20,000, 108kg, 17.1mic, 2.7SD, 15.8CV, 99.9CF

2018: Sold 10-11 month old wether lambs for $200+$71 fleece=$271 at the CW Livestock Exchange in June.

2022: Sold LM210820 for $80,000 at our on property auction to Mianelup Poll Merinos, WA.

2023: Purchased Wiringa Park, WA, 220450, for $70,000 privately at Bendigo Sheep Show, July ’23.

For the last few years, all Lachlan ewes and their progeny are DNA sampled, providing full genetic pedigree, ASBVs, as well as Poll status.

We select for deep crimping, heavy cutting & silky white wools by 12 months of age and select for superior genetics and not for the age. Lachlan have been using AI for over 30 yrs, and ET in the last 12 years. 

Adult Flock average: 18.5-19.5 micron, 8.0-9.3kg (seasonal range)