New generation of stylish sheep

WILLERA Merinos is focused on simple objectives that are producing a style of Merino sheep to carry the new generation of breeders into a profitable, exciting and prosperous Merino breeding future.

Says stud manager Simon Coutts: “The ability to maintain a profitable Merino enterprise and wool industry has seen some dramatic changes within the style of the Merino sheep of today.

“Willera Merinos has been at the forefront of this and continues to push hard for staple length and density without compromising a free growing plain bodied animal thus allowing us to become a mules free flock.

“Carcass traits have been selected focussing on deep bodied poll Merinos with high eye muscle and fat which have a good constitution and a broad rump.”

At this year’s Loddon Valley Stud Merino Breeders’ Association Field day, Willera was awarded first prize for the pen of three paddock-run

Inspection: From 10AM on day of sale

Auction: 1PM

Offering: 183 rams

1072 Old BoortSerpentine Road

Bears Lagoon

ewes. “The success for our pen of three ewes shows the consistency of our breeding techniques and outcomes that attracts the attention and bids of farmers from across Victoria and beyond at our annual ram sales.”

Willera only held its first onproperty ram sale in 2018 but is one of the oldest studs in Victoria.

Established in 1890, Willera Merinos is now into the fifth generation of breeding Merinos on land along the Loddon River and Serpentine Creek. It all began in 1842 when George Coutts and his family emigrated from Scotland to northern Victoria. They first settled on the granite hill, similar to their home land of Scotland, and then the fertile flood plains of the Loddon River.

“Innovation is what has kept our farming family on the land,” said Simon. “Our simple breeding objectives are designing the Merino we view as the profitable and also ethical animal in today’s demanding markets.”

Meeting changing society demands also meant the “trailblazing” step away from mulesing six years ago.

“From a management point of view you’ve really got to be on your game, but I think the benefits outweigh that,” he said. “It’s keeping an eye on worm egg counts and pasture management, ensuring you’ve got enough fibre on offer for lambs.” He said the dual-purpose sheep from Willera gave producers the “bang for your buck out of every part of it — wool, carcass and lambing percentages, the whole box and dice — they have more do-ability and are easier to manage; the focus isn’t all on the wool”.