Issue 2
September 2000
GRACEFIELD NEWSLETTER
Rocco and Chris De Bellis and daughters have farmed at "Gracefield", Katanning since 1988. Gracefield, an 800 hectare property is situated approximately 200 kilometres south of Perth in the heart of the Great Southern.
Having used Prime SAMMs commercially the previous year we decided to register a stud in 1998. "We were very excited about the prospects of our F1 progeny, growth rates and wool types and the fertility aspect of the breed".
Gracefield recognised trying to introduce a new sheep breed into Australia was serious business. With this in mind, Gracefield purchased all bloodlines that were available in Australia, then imported new genetics from South Africa. Strong SAMM traits with whiter wools have been sourced and as result can boast genetics from eleven South African Studs.This would be the most on one property in Australia.
This quest although expensive, has yielded very good results with Gracefield sires being used extensively by other studs in Western and Eastern Australia.
We are looking forward to our latest aquisition of genetics from South Africa.The ram we are using is the 1998 South African Champion Ram which scored 9 out of 10 for Body and 9 for Wool.He is also a twin.
Last season saw Gracefield sell a draft of 400 F1 SAMM lambs.Low weight of 18.5kg, high weight of 28.5kg, average of 24.5kg at 5-6 months of age off grass.The same lambs won the Heavy Weight Prime Lamb Competition atMt Barker and third in the Light Weight Section.
1999 saw Gracefield show sheep at Mt Barker, Katanning and Wagin Woolarama.Good results were achieved with Champions in Ram, Ewe and Lamb categories in each of these events.
The Stud's objective is to supply both stud and commercial breeders with the most elite animals of the breed.We recognise the fact that the industry is no longer impressed by maximum production irrespective of cost, but need optimum production at lowest possible cost.
Last year 150 people attended our First On- Property Field Day, showing good interest in the breed.
This year Gracefield has available both stud and commercial rams for sale, stud and commercial ewes and a full range of genetics.
Our second On-Property Field Day will be on Friday, 29 September 2000 at 1 pm.Guest speakers will be Rob Davidson, Research Officer, University of WA and Phil Mulcahy, WAMMCO International.
All interested are most welcome!
Gracefield SAMM
PO Box 726
Katanning WA 6317
Phone: 08 9821 2181 Fax: 08 9821 4240
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