Benchmarking

NEW ENGLAND SIRE EVALUATION

Karori rams have consistently proven themselves in many Sire Evaluations by producing high numbers of tops and low numbers of culls in their progeny. Sire K386 is no exception. He is the latest ram to have been entered in the NE Sire Evaluation (2014).

In the 2014 drop yearling assessment, K386 had 20% more tops and 22% less culls than the average. High tops and low culls have a big impact on the profitability of a self-replacing merino flock.

K386’s progeny had:

  • The best CVs
  • Best Wool Character
  • Best Staple Structure
  • Second best wool colour
  • Least amount of Fleece Rot
  • Least Dust Penetration & Weathering

From the 14 entries, Karori K386 ranked 6th on the Fibre Production Plus Index.

We recognise that the characteristics of our wool that are not included in the Index (i.e. those listed above) also add considerable value for processors seeking to produce special and unique garments for the consumer.

In the 2012 Drop NE Sire Evaluation Karori Sire 090094 had the most number of tops and least number of culls for his hogget progeny. His 2 tooth progeny also had above average Nos of tops and below average Nos of culls. He had the second lowest FD, least amount of fleece rot, whitest wool and best wool character. This sire also had the HIGHEST FLEECE VALUES (Calculated from wool prices over the last 5 years) with an average value of $78.59/head compared to an average fleece value of $58.79 for the 15 entries.We are building both body weights and fleece weights onto our sheep by strategically using some outside genetics without compromising our uniquely soft wools.

MERINO BLOODLINE PERFORMANCE

During this year the NSW DPI and AWI released a document entitled :“MERINO BLOODLINE PERFORMANCE”

This publication presented the results of wether trials from 2004-2014. There are 71 bloodlines represented.

On a profit/dse basis Karori ranked 16th out of the 71 entrants. This meant that we ranked in the top 25% for profitability and ranked as the 2nd highest profit$/dse amongst the 6 New England bloodlines that were represented.

MERINO SELECT PROJECT

  
In 2002 we joined the Merino Validation Project in order to benchmark ourselves against other merino breeders in the industry. The Merino Validation Project is now known as Merino Select and the benchmarking is being conducted right across Australia and compares you to the entire merino industry. We have already developed a uniqely soft, silky white wool and we are now placing more emphasis on the major profitability drivers, mainly:
  • GROWTH RATES
  • STAPLE STRENGTH
  • FERTILITY
  • WORM RESISTANCE
As a stud we have been focussing on improving these traits in our sheep over the last few years.The 2005 drop performed very well in Merino Select. Many of our 2005 drop rams have above average ASBVs in some major traits such as Body Weights (growth rates) , Staple Strength, Low Micron, Fibre Diameter CV, Worm Resistance and Number of Lambs Weaned (fertility & mothering ability). Our goal is to now build really good eye muscle depth onto our sheep while maintaining all the good traits we have already established.
In 2006 Karori had 4 stud sires that were in the top 2-5% on the 14% production index and several other stud sires were in the top 10-15%. We also purchased semen from 2 other studs in 2006 and both these sires ASBVs are in the top 1-3% for fleece weight, the top 2-10% for staple strength, the top 15-20% for body weights and in the top 1-5% for worm resistance and they are both in the top 1% on the 14% production index so we are hoping to produce some excellent sires for our stud from these genetics as well.
FINENESS
  • Excellent ASBVs for fineness

SOFTNESS

  • Exceptional ASBVs for FD CVs

WORM RESISTANCE

  • Excellent ASBVs for Worm Resistance

STAPLE STRENGTH

  • Above average ASBVs for Staple Strength

NUMBER OF LAMBS WEANED

  • Above average for mothering abiltiy