Objectives

Our aim is to breed rams that will sire high-value, easy-to-manage progeny.

The basis is in superfine and fine wool suited to the New England region (17 micron adult fleece on improved pastures), followed by selection for high fleece weight and moderate body weights for that fibre diameter.

Due to the environment and wool type, a strong emphasis is also placed on the sheep having resistance to worms and flystrike, sound feet, strong staple strength and bright white wool.

Proven worm and flystrike resistance

Worm resistance, combined with good management, has reduced the amount of drenching required at Mannum Park.

Our weaner ewes regularly go more than a year after their short-acting weaning drench before receiving another drench.

Adult ewes do not have any preventative chemicals applied for flystrike. Only rams receive a poll treatment in case of fighting, and lambs receive a breech treatment at lamb marking, but they are not mulesed.

Key selection traits

• Body weight and fleece weight
• Staple strength and staple length
• Fibre diameter
• Resistance to worms
• Breech and body wrinkle (resistance to fleece rot and flystrike)
• Polledness
• Wool colour and crimp definition
• Feet and leg structure
• Back structure (fleece rot resistance)