Lamb producers open for breeders' field day

Wilson and Gaylene Ronald are among those opening their farm gate for the Southern Texel Breeders field day. Photo: Supplied
Wilson and Gaylene Ronald are among those opening their farm gate for the Southern Texel Breeders field day. Photo: Supplied
Those attending the Southern Texel Breeders field day will have the opportunity to view the highly efficient lamb producing operation owned by Wilson and Gaylene Ronald.

Field day spokesman Peter Black said three properties would open their gates to visitors on November 8.

''This farm of 84 hectares carries 860 ewes and 415 hoggets which are also lambed,'' he said.

The couple run 15.3 stock units per hectare.

The sheep are Texel Coopworths, which are brought in each year as lambs.

Texel rams are used as terminal sires to market three quarter Texel works lambs.

''As Wilson has a large pregnancy scanning run of both sheep and cattle, the farming operation is kept simple and Gaylene keeps the farm running while Wilson is away.''

The sheep were run on a low-cost all-grass system with daily shifts in winter, and they were supplemented with baleage, he said.

The combination of good sheep genetics and sound farm management produced outstanding production levels, Mr Black said.

''Last year's tailing percentage was 160% from ewes [and] 75% from hoggets, while this year the ewe flock tailed 166% while hoggets scanned 98% but tailing is not complete.''

Excellent lamb growth last year resulted in 61% of the lambs from the ewe flock sold off mothers before Christmas at an average age of 90 days and at 19kg carcass weight.

''The high average Viaascan yield of 58.1% brought a yield premium averaging $6.93 per head over all lambs sold.''

Despite last year's difficult dry season, the farm produced 350kg of lamb meat and 83kg of ewe meat per hectare, for a meat value of $2524.

''Lamb production in previous years has also been outstanding in both volume and quality, resulting in the Ronalds having been twice nominated by the Alliance company as their top suppliers to become finalists in the Beef + Lamb National Sheep Industry Supplier of the Year Award.''

The Ronalds' lambs have also made the finals of the Glammie Awards, for the industry's highest quality lambs, on two occasions.

 

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