MERINO sheep breeders looking to see the progeny of 40 top-quality ram sires, hearing about the Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) project - and more - can look forward to the upcoming Balmoral Breeders 2023 Field Day next week.
Held at Austral Park, just 15 minutes out of Hamilton, next Friday’s event promises to be an informative update on the finest merino genetics in Australia.
The 10-year MLP project has collected data from thousands of ewes across Australia annually since 2015, including culls, as to record lifetime performance.
The massive amount of information collected will utilise all possible objective measurements for carcass and fibre including genomics testing as well as subjective assessment and promises to increase predictive accuracy for the entire industry.
Balmoral Breeders is the biggest sire evaluation site in Australia and in the past has had graziers from South Australia and New South Wales come to the field days, with some attendees expected from Tasmania this year.
Guest speakers will be Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA) executive officer, Ben Swain, who will have the latest news about the MLP, and Paradoo Prime co-owner, Tim Leeming, who will speak about the Towards 90 (T90) program.
The T90 brand reflects the aspirational targets of achieving 90 per cent and beyond in lamb survival across single and twin-bearing ewes.
The 2021 and 2022 drop Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA) trial progeny will be on display from 12pm and the guest speakers are scheduled at 2pm.
Those interested in a classing masterclass can arrive earlier at 10.30am to learn about three different classing methods - breeding, visual and AMSEA grades - but will need to register via email below as there are only limited spots available.
A lunch will be provided from 12.30pm.
The Balmoral Breeders 2023 Field Day will be held next Friday, February 10 at Austral Park, 121 Austral Park Road, Tarrenlea, from 12pm until 5pm with entry $10 and more information can be found by emailing balmoralsireevaluation@gmail.com or on their Facebook page.
