We've crunched the numbers and are proud to share with you our progress towards our breeding goals.
Our Breeding Goal
Our Breeding Goal is to maintain fibre diameter and increase wool cut and frame size whilst retaining our traditional Italian Spinners wool type.
We use a range of tools including visual classing, fleece testing and ASBVs to help us reach these goals.
Body Weight
At our 2017 sale the average current liveweight of our 2 tooth rams is 72.5kg. Our heaviest 2 tooth ram in the sale catalogue weighs 84kg at only 17 months of age (Rams were weighed on 19th Jan). Back at our 2014 Sale the average liveweight of our 2 tooth rams was 64kg.
Fleece Weights
Since we began measuring ram fleece weights in 2011, fleece weights recorded at 11 months of age, have increased by 26%.
Fibre Diameter
Over the same time period fibre diameter from individual ram fleece test results at 12 months of age has remained consistent, averaging 15.6um in the stud.
Over the same time frame our fibre diameter has also remained constant genetically. Genetically our rams are of similar diameter to other Ultra/Superfine rams in the Sheep Genetics Database.
Staple Strength
Stanley Vale prides itself of the high staple strength of its wool, our main wool clip consistently averages 46N/ktex and greater. Our flock also has one of the best average yearling staple strengths, genetically in the Sheep Genetics Database
Our 2016 drop rams are looking great and we look forward to capturing some measurements on them in the near future and updating you on their progress.
You can view our 2014 and 2015 rams for yourself at the Armidale Housed Show and Sale this week and at our on property sale on Friday 3rd February 2017. Inspection is also available by private arrangement.