Koonwarra 2002 AI Ewes.

Koonwarra Merino Stud will continue along traditional breeding plans, while at the same time exploring new avenues to continually improve our product - the rams that we provide to our clients. In turn, this will make our clients’ sheep more profitable. In short, Koonwarra is only as successful as its clients!

Koonwarra sheep have typically been a very versatile and productive sheep, which cater to the fine/fine medium wool markets. The emphasis has always been on frame and fleece production, with an average micron of 20.3; this enables clients to control wool quality, while maintaining fleece production.

Koonwarra welcomes comparison of its results with those of other studs. For this reason, Koonwarra participates in all major shows, to enable its clients to assess results in the show ring. Comparison of ram performance should involve wool testing by a reputable independent testing organisation. Comparison should cover the key issues of fleece weight, fibre, finess, fertility and carcass weight, all of which are features offered on a consistent basis by Koonwarra rams; also comparison should be over three generations, so that results are not distorted by the hybrid vigour effect on a first cross generation.

Each year Koonwarra carries out an extensive laproscopic AI program, using semen from leading Koonwarra sires including KWA 3.21 Young Sam and his son KWA 7.49, who is the sire of 7.49-052 Montrose, the Junior Grand Champion at the 2002 Canberra Royal Show. Other rams used include KWA 7.78, who was Reserve Grand Champion Fine Wool Ram at Sydney Royal Easter Show in 1999, KWA 5.29, sire of Eliza, Grand Champion Fine Wool Ewe at Sydney Royal Easter Show 2000, KWA 8.7 who was Grand Champion Medium Wool Ram at Sydney Royal Easter Show in 1990, KWA 8.180 Blocker, KWA 9.3 Tricky and KWA 8.27 Arnold.

Semen was also used from Glendonald 6.215, who was the Victorian Ram of the Year in 1998, and subsequently purchased by Koonwarra for $20,000. His young progeny display depth, structure and bulk with a soft bright fleece.

Semen has been introduced from Nerstane N002 and Nerstane N142, who was the Supreme Exhibit and Grand Champion Fine Wool ram at Sydney Royal Easter Show in 1999. Nerstane contains extensive Koonwarra genetics.

All of the rams used exhibit impressive wool test results, conformation and capacity, with progeny rams having proven themselves in the Koonwarra Stud flock, and/or other successful studs. The AI program has allowed use of a higher quality of ram over a greater number of top stud ewes. It follows an extensive wool testing and classing program in the stud ewes. This will enhance the genetic progress of the Koonwarra sheep.

This 18.8-micron fleece is typical of the wool clip from Koonwarra and was from a ram purchased at the1999 On Property Sale.

The Koonwarra sheep are run on mainly red basalt country running down onto Belulbula River flats in 26-inch rainfall area. We are fortunate to have irrigated Lucerne and Lucerne based pastures, so that during summer or drought we are able to grow out our weaners and present them to their full potential.

One of our main aims is to be able to meet the full requirements of our traditional stud and commercial woolgrower clients.

With the emphasis on softer wools to be produced in the western pastoral areas, Koonwarra is ideally situated with our prepotent genetic base and central location to satisfy these requirements.

Koonwarra 2001 drop Ram Weaners.