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Flock Profile

Ewes

From our 15,000 commercially focused merino flock, we annually join 8500 ewes and select from this ewe base to determine our nucleus breeding flock of 1000 ewes. The entire ewe cohort is measured and tested for all wool traits, fleece weights and body weights.

Only the best 10% of maiden ewes join the selected nucleus flock each year with ewes chosen based off ASBV’s measurements and visually assessed structural integrity. Our business is completely commercially focused aiming to produce the most efficient, productive, and profitable Merino under realistic commercial, paddock conditions.

Nucleus flock progeny are breech scored and DNA sampled for genomic testing and parentage at marking with body weights conducted at weaning. Weaners are then put onto improved pastures and run as a contemporary cohort for 12 months.

All ewe lambs are run together to improve the integrity of the data whilst ensuring each lamb has an equal opportunity to express their genetic potential.

Ewes are brought in for mid-side sampling with more body weights recorded before being visually classed into quality groups for shearing. The entire cohort’s fleece weights are recorded and collated with data previously collected assisting our classing decisions when selecting the top 10% of maiden ewes to be introduced into the nucleus flock.

Ewes are run under commercial conditions for their entire life with classing being conducted yearly before joining to ensure efficient production and quality breeding continues. Fleece weights are recorded for all young ewes for the first 2 years. Any surplus, classed out and cast for age ewes are sold on for further breeding either to other commercial breeders or into our maternal breeding enterprise.

Greendale genetics are renowned for their reproductive longevity and superior productive attributes over the animal’s entire lifetime. This production status ranks Greendale at the pinnacle of the industry for production and consistent longevity with Greendale’s current ewe flock producing at an overall average of 7.5kg at 17.5 microns.

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Rams

Greendale Merinos has a unique breeding achievement of being able to breed animals that can produce top percentile fleece weights, with low fibre diameters.

This anomaly in which we have successfully bred for has resulted in our genetic performance and status residing at the pinnacle of the entire industry.

Overall value of our progeny is proven to be genetically superior and hold a higher production value to majority of the industry with no compromise on sustainable and viable economic breeding decisions.

Greendale’s genetic progress has seen us progress exponentially with a five-year average genetic trend of 6.3 MP+ index compared to the industry average of 2.8 MP+ index points.

Ram lambs are bred from the selected nucleus flock ewes and follow the same integral assessment process as their female siblings. This ensures an increase in targeted breeding qualities and efficient productivity continues through to future progeny.

The sires used to produce the nucleus flock progeny are chosen through a strict and densely analysed process based on their statistically evaluated performances in the industry. Greendale only uses and introduces sires that are performing at the top of the industry. Using industry analysed data and evaluated, proven statistics the genetics used must meet our breeding objectives.

Similarly, to the ewe lambs, nucleus flock ram lamb progeny are breech scored and DNA sampled for genomic testing and parentage at marking with body weights conducted at weaning. Weaners are then put onto improved pastures and run as a contemporary cohort for 12 months.

At 10 months, ram lambs are brought in for mid-side sampling with more body weights recorded.

Ram lambs are then visually classed for shearing with culls being separated but still measured alongside the retained cohort group

All rams are fleece weighed and recorded with data being collated and compared alongside any previously collected information and new analysis including the ram’s known pedigree. Helping to assist our classing decisions.