3 minute read
ADVERTORIAL: AN OPEN MIND ON SHEDDING SHEEP
“AN OPEN MIND ON SHEDDING SHEEP”
The Cliffs Australian White Sheep Stud Molong was established in 2016 with the purchase of foundation animals from the AWSBA Flock No 11.
Our main focus is providing stud and commercial clients with good shedding unshorn sheep at realistic prices.
Today The Cliffs Stud runs over 300 purebred Stud Australian White ewes, the descendants of the original foundation flock as one part of its farm operations. Now we have also invested in a second arm to our sheep enterprise under The Cliffs Shedding Sheep Stud banner - Sheepmaster composites.
In 2021 we realised there was a need to improve shedding sheep. We saw a lot of sheep being sold into the market place requiring better confirmation, hybrid vigour and shedding ability. We felt we also needed to have an open mind with the development of a composite maternal shedding sheep, basically to replace the backbone of the Australian lamb industry – the XB ewe. Fat lamb producers can no longer afford to shear sheep with lamb prices of around $4-$5/kilo.
We needed to embrace change with shedding sheep. An AI program began in 2021 using Australian White ewes and two SheepMaster sires. The results of the program were extremely encouraging. The skins of the progeny are finer haired,
have better shedding ability. black feet and the progeny showed no colour, better confirmation, body structure and more hybrid vigour as well as access to an enormous genetic pool.
Our new SheepMaster composite shedding sheep are separated from our Australian Whites by genomic parentage testing and we use an electronic tagging system on all sheep for full traceability.
The new composite shedding sheep has fast gathered interest from our commercial clients who are looking to maximise their returns and lessen their input costs. We also find the genuine commercial producers are not interested about hype of one particular breed but are more concerned about the bottom line of their businesses. And at The Cliffs, one of our main emphases is the viability of our clients.
On farm private treaty sales assures our clients of a guaranteed product at realistic prices.
Whilst we still love our Australian Whites, our clients old and new now will have a choice when it comes to shedding sheep – Australian Whites or the next generation Sheepmaster composites. With the aid of our sheep classer Andrew Hodgson, we are looking to move shedding sheep forward.
For further information on how we can help make a change in your sheep operation, please call Phil on 0419879273
This year’s flock ram prices from $800-$1000 + GST in line with current lamb market prices
Purebred Australian White flock rams, stud rams and ewes from foundation pedigree bloodlines.
Brucellosis accredited, foot rot free, full health statement with every animal. Realistic price. Molong, NSW.
Enquiry welcome 0419 879 273 or find us on Facebook.
