Issue 5
September 2002
GRACEFIELD NEWSLETTER
Good day to you all and hope that this finds you in good health and high spirits.
We are celebrating five years in SAMMs, only an infant - however, the commercial aspects of the breed are becoming well known by both producers and processors. The potential of the breed is pleasing however, it may take another five years for us to make a mark.
We are a little fortunate that our season has started well but is drying off fast. We feel for you in the drier areas and I have been spending a lot of time east of the line buying sheep for export.
This year again has been a busy one and our 2001 drop ewes are last to finish lambing. After mothering up 600 lambs, it's enough to drive you to drink!Young ram progeny tested this year look to have performed well and all animals should be scanned this month.Our 2001 drop rams averaged 23.5 micron this year and the ewes 22.8.Sheep look well.
For our sale this year, we hope to pen 100 rams in the "new shed".In order to do this we may have to dive into some of the earlier drop ram lambs, these will do the job as the clients who purchased last year will know.It should give everyone a bit more of a go and no reserves will be placed on any of the animals.Included willbe approximately 25 rams of the new genetics imported by the stud in 2000.
Ron and Ruth MacPherson have about 20 Rams to sell this year and we wish them all the best.To our Eastern States clients who wish to purchase our genetics closer to home, Ron and Ruth can be contacted on:
Ph:02 6924 1533.
The most satisfying thing for us is when a good line of SAMM lambs comes through the saleyards. They look terrific and nearly always top or near top the sale. The buyers love them!Congratulations to all our clients for a job well done.
Negative comments regarding SAMMs always revolve around the wool aspect of the breed. "You can't fault the body, but the wool's a bit rough".
There has been SAMM/Merino cross wool sold for 700 cents this year!Although the micron range is too varied, between 17-26 micron, wool tests extremely well and sells similar to merino type.It must be stressed that wool quality not quantity is our aim.Our finest ram this year is 20.66 micron with a 99.55% comfort factor.A BIG SHEEP WITH IT. 93.58% comfort factor was the average of the sale rams.Our finest ewe was 19.52, comfort factor 99.8% and the mob average was 96.41% comfort factor.Now we prefer more middle of the road wools, but wish to indicate that there is a bit more to the wool aspect of the breed than meets the eye.We are learning all the time.
That's about all.Thanks to everyone that has visited us and hope to catch up soon.
Best wishes
Rocco & Chris De Bellis
OUR FIXTURES FOR THIS YEAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Friday 6th SeptSAMM SYMPOSIUM & FIELD
DAY -Katanning Ram Pavilion
Commencing 1pm
10 Studs exhibiting
Guest speakers
Lunch & Refreshments
27-30th Sept PERTH ROYAL AGRIC SHOW
Judging- Friday 27 Sept 1pm
24th October GRACEFIELD 4th FIELD DAY &
ON PROPERTY SALE
1pm Start
25-26th Oct KATANNING AGRIC SHOW
WA Prime Genetics Sale
Saturday, 26th October at
Katanning Show Grounds.
Commencing 9am
SAMMS WILL GO MAINSTREAM
South African Meat Merinos will become a mainstream breed throughout Australia as numbers of rams become more readily available.
Not only will they challenge meat breeds already in use, but will secure a percentage of the dry land merino market.Why? Bottom line profitability!
The reduction in cut per head is outweighed by a significant increase in lambing percentages, excellent growth rates returning higher weights and earlier turnoff.The fact that maiden ewes can be joined as early as 8 months insures no mob is run for wool income alone.The good doing qualities of these plain bodied animals minimises management and feed costs.
As more producers move to increase their ewe flock in order to sell off larger numbers of dry sheep as lambs, or after first shearing, certain trends are already emerging in the market. Forward contracting of livestock for live trade currently accepting 35kg, preferred weights 45kg+.US lamb markets 22-28kg premium market but will accept as much weight as possible. Forward contracting available.
Due to stock shortages young sheep are very saleable both to processors and exporters, however weight or lack of it is a real industry problem.Given a certain time frame as numbers build, trade will become more selective.Weight will gain premiums and the lighter end will be hard to quit.It might be argued that these weights can be achieved with existing genetics. Yes, but in what time frame and at what cost?By feeding you can fatten stock to acceptable weight and body score but will do little to alter carcase characteristics.
In the processing industry it costs the same to process an 18kg carcase opposed to a 26kg animal.Profitability per unit value is essential, through-put will only compound the negatives or positives.The same can be said back on the farm.Not how many but how profitable.Good genetics will play an important role, however management is the key.
Can the market sustain these prices?
Yes, yes and yes!Where else in the world can you buy a sheep for $30US?
"If you own one sheep in some parts of the world you get the best girl in the village.If you have two sheep you own the village". A little foolish perhaps, but it makes the point how valuable a resource our livestock are.
Industry must realise to gain true profitability for themselves and their clients' supply and quality 12 months of the year is essential.They should rejoice every time they can lift prices and feel dejected every time prices drop.Naïve?Businesses with this culture seem to thrive even in adverse times.
New generation farmers can ill afford any part of their enterprise to be less profitable.Better technologies and more flexibility ensure land assets can be utilised more profitably.Livestock must keep up or growers will keep voting with their feet.
Rocco De Bellis
Gracefield SAMM
PO Box 726
Katanning WA 6317
Phone: 08 9821 2181 Fax: 08 9821 4240
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