MN1

History of Stud

The Yalgoo ram breeding flock was founded in 1947 by Jock Nivison with ewes descended from the original Ohio Flock which trace back to sheep imported from WA Grubb, Scone, Tasmania in the 1880s. For the last 35 years mainly Yalgoo sires have been used in the stud. Occasional outside sires have been introduced, but most progress has been made from within. Objective measurement has been used as the main selection tool for the past 30 years.

Statement of Purpose

Yalgoo Merinos are a constantly evolving package of genes. We use objective measurement to select for traits which produce higher fleece values to improve the profitability of our clients. So we are constantly reducing fibre diameter and maintaining fleece weights with this in mind. We also aim to increase tensile strength and flystrike resistance through selecting to reduce CV of fibre diameter.

Management

Yalgoo Merinos are run under strict commercial conditions at above district average stocking rates. We are not distracted by fads and any sheep that does not measure up is a temporary resident. The flock (near 16,000 head) average diameter is around 17 microns and mature flock wethers cut between 5.0-5.5 kg greasy.

Selection procedure

Objective measurement is the main selection tool employed. All stud ewes and rams, including sale rams are measured and ranked on a selection index. Over ten years our aim is for the selection index to result in the following changes to the stud flock average:

Trait
Adult

Mean fibre diameter (micron)
-3.0

Body weight (kg) +0.2

CV of fibre diamater -2.0

Clean fleece weight (kg) -0.1

Style (% of one grade) 10%

Staple length (mm) 2

Staple strength (N/ktex) -0.2

Number of lambs weaned % +7

Visual classing is also employed to identify and remove serious economic fault. Particular attention is paid to faces, shoulders, backs and feet. Ewes that fail to lamb in two successive years are culled.

Wether Trial Results

Yalgoo wethers have achieved outstanding results in wether trials conducted all over Australia.We have been participating in wether trials since 1985. We believe that these results are second to none and establish Yalgoo Merinos as first class performers in a wide range of environments from high rainfall to the pastoral zone.

View Merino bloodlines: The comparisons 1994-2004

View Current Wether Trial Results Here

Towards 13 Micron Project

The CSIRO invited Yalgoo and seven other flocks around Australia to participate in the Towards 13 micron project. The aim is to produce adult sheep with ultrafine wool (towards 13 micron) over 7 years without compromising other fleece traits eg wool weight and strength. We are currently in the last year of the project and the genetic trend is very encouraging . In 2006 wool from the T13 Flock made up to 30,000 cents a kilo. Rams from the 13 micron flock are available at our annual ram sale. The project will wind up at the end of 2007.

Sale Information
The 2009 on-property ram sale will be held on the 7th February 2009.

Private Paddock Sales
Rams for sale from March 2008.

Annual Circuit Sheep Sale March 2009
(in conjunction with Miramoona and Ohio North)

Yalgoo will be offering:

6 ½ yr old ewes
1 ½ yr old wethers
1 ½ yr old ewes

Numbers available January 2008.

Please contact Grant Nivison (ph 02 6777 2525, fax 02 6777 2875) for more information.

Semen Sires

Below are details of our semen sires available for 2007. The EPV's, or estimated progeny values, are provided for each sire. For further information on EPV's please visit the Sheep Genetics Australia website. Raw data on sires is available on request. Please contact Grant Nivison on details above.

YALGOO SEMEN SIRES FOR 2007

EPV's FOR SIRE YALGOO 010420

CFW% FD CV SS YWT INDEX

17 -1.9 -2.8 6.9 3.8 180

420 is a big framed plain bodied sheep producing a long staple with a very defined bold crimp. Recent progeny tests on 420 have highlighted him as an "extreme" sire for FEC, and trait leader for staple strength. 420 has been used extensively nationally.

EPV's FOR SIRE YALGOO 010377

CFW% FD CV SS YWT INDEX

-6 -1.9 -2.7 4.5 1.2 157

377 is a large, plain bodied sheep producing an elite fleece that is soft, bright with a very defined crimp. 377 produces the most consistent progeny at classing.

EPV's FOR SIRE YALGOO 03068

CFW% FD CV SS YWT INDEX

3 -2.1 2.7 2.9 2.3 163

EPV's FOR SIRE 030331

CFW% FD CV SS YWT INDEX

-16 -3.4 -1.5 1.2 -2.3 169

RAW DATA* FOR SIRE 040487

CFW% FD CV SS YWT INDEX

6 -2.9 -1.9 2.4 3.6 165

* Raw data only available as ram has no progeny yet.

RAW DATA* FOR SIRE 050448

CFW% FD CV SS YWT INDEX

18 -2.5 -1.6 4.2 -2.9 180

* Raw data only available as ram has no progeny yet.

448 is ranked No.1 in the 2005 drop.

SEMEN PRICES FOR 2007

Yalgoo to bill purchaser for semen. Allstock to bill purchaser for handling costs.

0 to 100 doses $50+ GST
100 to 200 doses $45+ GST
Over 200 doses negotiable