The Elders
Victorian Merino Sire Evaluation Trials
Host property Arundale (2004, 2005)
Progeny Location:
‘Arundale’ is 2300 ha of pasture improved country with
buckshot/sandy loam/grey loam soil types and a 26 inch average rainfall.
It is located approximately 60km north of Hamilton at Balmoral.
Ewe Base:
Using Pleasant Park #1 and Pleasant Park #2 genetics derived from Merryville
and Hazledean bloodlines, they run big framed 19 micron ewes cutting
about 5.5kg of fleece.Stock Management/Seasonal Conditions
After a late break, the winter and early spring of 2004 saw a return
to a normal season with above average rainfall through June, July and
August. Unusually warm weather in early October and only 10 mm for the
month threatened to shorten the Spring, but rallying rains early November
extended the season for another 2-3 weeks. The rainfall for 2004 was
below average at only 540 mm.
The 2005 year commenced with a false break late January, which did
supply a green pick for 2 weeks before being burnt off. The rest of
2005 has probably been one of the toughest on record at “Arundale”
with all sheep being supplementary fed through until late August. The
only positive side has been the milder temperatures through winter,
which has enabled stock to utilise the supplementary feed.
The 2004-drop benefited from a good spring in 2005, and were grazed
on oats stubble and supplemented with lupins, oats and Lucerne hay during
the summer and autumn. Good rains in late June early July gave us hope
of being a good year, but as we all know that was not to be. Very little
rain for the rest of winter and spring saw a reduced growth and bulk
in the pastures and hardly any run off into dams. An extensive destocking
program and the pumping of water from several spring-fed dams should
help us get through one of the toughest years on record.
The only positive side has been the milder temperatures through winter,
which has enabled stock to utilise the supplementary feed.
The Evaluation & Management Program 2004 drop progeny:
21st February 2004
Commenced AI program-Ewes sponged & teasers injected
7th/8th March 2004
Pull sponges & injected ewes with PMSG, introduced teasers
9th/10th March 2004
Laparoscopic insemination of 1003 ewes, conducted by Brecon Breeders
18th May 2004
Ultrasound / scan ewes by Mark Jenkinson, ewes drafted into mobs of
singles & twins.
14th July 2004
Ewes drenched, vaccinated & crutched.
27th July 2004
Ewes drafted into 34 groups for lambing
6th August 2004
Ewes commenced lambing
19th August 2004
Lambs tagged, scored & returned to full mob
23rd September 2004
Marked & mulesed lambs, vaccinated & Cliked
22nd November 2004
Weaned lambs, drenched & vaccinated
20th December 2004
Lambs body weighed, electronic ear tags inserted
9th February 2005
Lambs crutched & drenched
19th March 2005
Progeny on display at Balmoral Show
22nd March 2005
Progeny on display at Open Day
17th May 2005
Lambs drenched
24th June 2005
1st visual classing of progeny and midside samples taken
6th July 2005
1st shearing (11 months wool)
19th August 2005
Body weighing (yearling weight)
23rd September 2005
Individual WEC samples collected and progeny drenched
1st November 2005
Jetted for fly protection
19th December 2005
1st summer drench
19th January 2006
Crutched
24th February 2006
2nd summer drench
18th March 2006
Progeny on display at Balmoral Show
5th April
Progeny on display at Open Day
13th June 2006
2nd visual classing of progeny and midside samples taken
28th June 2006
Group visual classing by Andrew Combe
10th July 2006
2nd shearing (12 months wool, 23 months age)
11th August 2006
Body weighing (adult weight)
Classer for 2004 drop Progeny: Mr Andrew Combe, Elders Ltd
The following section brings the 2005 drop up to date but will need
adding to next year:
Stock Management/Seasonal Conditions
The 2005 drop lambs were born commencing 11th August 05 where a week
of very inclement weather in the middle of lambing caused above average
losses. The lambs were mulesed, marked and vaccinated at the end of
September. In mid December they were weaned, drenched and received their
2nd vaccination. They were away to a good start after the above average
spring and being imprint fed while on the ewes. We continued with grain
and hay being progressively increased to meet their needs. They were
crutched in February 06 and received their 2nd summer drench.
Good rains in late June early July gave us hope of being a good year,
but as we all know that was not to be. Very little since saw a reduced
growth and bulk in the pastures and hardly any run off into dams. An
extensive destocking program and the pumping of water from several spring-fed
dams should see us through one of the toughest years on record.
The only positive side has been the milder temperatures through winter,
which has enabled stock to utilise the supplementary feed.
Barry Matthews
The Evaluation & Management Program 2005 drop progeny:
21st February 2005
Commenced AI program. Ewes sponged and teasers injected
9th March 2005
Laparoscopic insemination of 900 ewes, conducted by Brecon Breeders
9th May 2005
Ultrasound/scan ewes by Mark Jenkinson
10th May 2005
Drafted ewes into groups of singles and twins
22nd July 2005
Drenched and vaccinated ewes, drafted into sire groups for lambing
11th August 2005
Ewes commenced lambing
2nd September 2005
Lambs tagged and scored
27th September 2005
Marked and mulesed lambs, vaccinated, scored for tail and breach wrinkle
9th November 2005
Jetted ewes and lambs for fly protection
15th December 2005
Weaned lambs, 2nd vaccination, 1st summer drench, lambs body weighed
(weaning weights)
24th February 2006
2nd summer drench, crutched
18th March 2006
Progeny on display at Balmoral Show
5th April 2006
Progeny on display at Open day
14th June 2006
Drenched, mid side sampling and 1st visual classing of progeny
11th July 2006
1st shearing (11months wool)
11th August 2006
Body weighing (yearling weight)
29th August 2006
Individual WEC samples collected
Classer for 2005 Drop Progeny : Mr Elliot Lindley, Elders Ltd.
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