NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) sheep researcher Dr Sue Mortimer

A SHEEP handling and breeding field day at Trangie, New South Wales, has been re-scheduled for August 6.

The free field day at the Trangie Agricultural Research Centre was originally scheduled for June 18, but was postponed due to rainfall in the region.

It will feature hot tips on getting value for money from sheep handling equipment, new information from post-weaning fleece assessments and the latest sire evaluation reports from top Merino rams.

The Central Test Sire Evaluation (CTSE) field day will give producers the opportunity to inspect 27 progeny groups from the 2013 drop and learn how to use CTSE reports to add value to their flocks.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) sheep researcher, Sue Mortimer, said early data from a post-weaning fleece assessment project funded by Australian Wool Innovation will outline the value of early measurements of wool production traits.

She said CTSE evaluations deliver reliable information on commercially significant wool and meat traits to producers who want to meet flock breeding objectives.

“Independently evaluated in the Macquarie Valley, these reports provide benchmarks for Merino sire performance from leading Merino studs, including seven local studs, in low rainfall, mixed farming and pastoral environments.

“Evaluations of the 2012 and 2013 progeny of 23 elite Merino rams, including Dohne Merino and soft rolling skin (SRS) sires, list visual and measured assessments of wool production and quality, growth rates, and ultrasound eye muscle and fat depth.”

Local Merino breeders and industry specialists will be available to answer questions, discuss options and explain how breeding objectives can be best met.

Producers will be given practical information on sheep handling equipment and have the opportunity to get their hands on the equipment at the field day site.

Information on Australian Sheep Breeding Values, visually assessed production traits and flock breeding values, http://merinosuperiorsires.com.au/ is available for the sires.

The Merino CTSE field day, sponsored by Sheep Connect NSW, will run from 10am-4pm with lunch provided by the Trangie CWA. Contact Toni George at TARC to register for the field day, [email protected] and (02) 6880 8043.

Source: NSW Department of Primary Industries.