RAM INSPECTION DAY 10.00AM – 12.00PM 5 FEBRUARY • Easy Care
LAMBPLAN Maternal Indexes
LAMBPLAN Maternal Indexes
LAMBPLAN Maternal Indexes
Maternal Carcase Production+ (MCP+)
Maternal Carcase Production+ (MCP+)
Maternal Carcase Production+ (MCP+)
Below is the trait contribution and selection advantage for MCP+ and MCP.
The Maternal Carcase Production + (MCP+) index is similar to the Maternal Carcase Production (MCP) index, with the addition of both wool and worm egg count. This index targets self-replacing production systems where maintaining adult weight and fleece weights are seen as important at the same time as improving carcase traits. A slight increase in clean fleece weight is expected. This index aims to reduce WEC as it is assumed in the index most enterprises are located in high rainfall areas and/or high input management systems. The contribution of each trait to economic gain is expressed in the graph along with the predicted genetic gain over 10 years.
The Maternal Carcase Production + (MCP+) index is similar to the Maternal Carcase Production (MCP) index, with the addition of both wool and worm egg count. This index targets self-replacing production systems where maintaining adult weight and fleece weights are seen as important at the same time as improving carcase traits. A slight increase in clean fleece weight is expected. This index aims to reduce WEC as it is assumed in the index most enterprises are located in high rainfall areas and/or high input management systems. The contribution of each trait to economic gain is expressed in the graph along with the predicted genetic gain over 10 years.
The Maternal Carcase Production + (MCP+) index is similar to the Maternal Carcase Production (MCP) index, with the addition of both wool and worm egg count. This index targets self-replacing production systems where maintaining adult weight and fleece weights are seen as important at the same time as improving carcase traits. A slight increase in clean fleece weight is expected. This index aims to reduce WEC as it is assumed in the index most enterprises are located in high rainfall areas and/or high input management systems.
The traits in the MCP and MCP+ indexes and how they contribute to the overall balance of the indexes in the top 10% of current maternal breed and composite progeny.
(MCP+) index is similar to the Maternal Carcase addition of both wool and worm egg count. This production systems where maintaining adult weight and at the same time as improving carcase traits. A is expected. This index aims to reduce WEC as enterprises are located in high rainfall areas and/or The contribution of each trait to economic gain is predicted genetic gain over 10 years.
AUCTION
FOR SALE
Rob Mulligan 0427 773 914 or Anna Mulligan 0438 253 504
Miles Archdale 0428 660 326 Mat Larkings 0427 002 427
Simon Newton 0467 660 320
WELCOME
We’re proud to offer 100 rams that reflect our focus on performance, innovation and adaptability. The 2025 ram sale will be conducted on Thursday 6th of February 2025, 1pm only on Auctions Plus. There will be an opportunity to view the sale rams on Wednesday 5th of February from 10-12pm at Salway, this is a great chance to select your ram team!
Over the years, our commitment is to breed sheep that not only survive but thrive in our environment. Salway produces high performing, efficient and adaptable maternal sheep. This year, we are proud to continue offering rams that reflect our dedication to driving genetic improvement and meeting the demands of modern sheep production.
Genomics
In 2024, the decision was made to genomically test all stud animals. This allows for greater data accuracy but also makes the for a more efficient and less labour-intensive enterprise. Genomic technology has revolutionised the livestock industry, enabling us to make more precise and informed breeding decisions. By leveraging genomic data, we can identify and select traits such as fertility, growth and carcase production. This ensures our rams not only perform in the paddock but also contribute to long term profitability of our commercial enterprise.
Breeding Objectives
Henry Hickson from NeXtgen Agri has helped to refine our breeding objectives and base our selection process on the Salway Index that breeds sheep that suit our environment. By carefully evaluating each animal, Henry ensures only the best genetics are selected using a combination of traditional assessment methods with data driven insights. His meticulous approach allows us to breed sheep that are:
1. Robust and Resilient: Our sheep thrive in a range of conditions, ensuring consistent performance regardless of environmental challenges.
2. Easy Care: Low maintenance traits such as lambing ease, strong mothering ability, and reduced susceptibility to common health issues.
3. Structurally Sound: Sound feet, legs and overall body structure are critical for longevity and productivity. Henry’s assessments ensure every sheep has the physical qualities needed to perform over the long term.
Salway Index:
The Salway Index is a tailored genetic selection tool that combines weightings on six key traits that aims to increase the key profit drivers that suit our grass-fed environment. The index helps us to identify
animals with the greatest potential for driving profitability, efficiency and resilience. The Salway Index is defined in more detail over the following pages.
Thank you
A huge thank you goes out to our hard-working team here at Salway. Your dedication, expertise and tireless efforts are the backbone of our business, and we cannot thank you enough. Thank you also to the team at Nutrien Boltons for your year-round assistance- it is much appreciated.
Thank you for supporting the 7th Annual Salway Ram Sale! If you have any questions or require further assistance with ram selection, then please reach out.
Rob and Anna Mulligan
Rob 0427 773 914
Anna 0438 253 504
Email: malpasriver@bigpond.com www.salway.com.au
SALE INFORMATION
1.00PM ON AUCTIONSPLUS SELLING SYSTEM
Sale of the rams will be conducted live on AuctionsPlus. Rams will be sold individually.
GST
All animals are sold excluding GST.
REBATE
2% rebate to outside agents registering RAM BUYERS in writing 24 hours prior to the sale and settling on their behalf within seven days of invoice.
SEMEN RIGHTS
Rams sell with 100% semen marketing rights. Salway reserves the right to collect semen for within flock use from any rams in this year’s catalogue. Done at vendors expense and the purchasers convenience.
CATALOGUE
View on AuctionsPlus, Sheep Genetics website, Ram Select, Salway Facebook page, via email or as a hard copy. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you would like assistance with ram selection.
RAM HEALTH
Salway Commercial Maternal Flock CM0026
ACCREDITED OVINE JOHNES DISEASE FREE Cert: NS76985, MN3 flock status valid until 31 May 2025
Destinee Day Walcha Veterinary Clinic (02) 6777 2302
RUN DATE 15 December 2024
The customised Salway Index has weightings on six key traits that drive profitability.
SALWAY INDEX OVERVIEW
The customised Salway index has been developed to reflect the breeding objective at Salway to produce an animal that suits our environment and system while maximising profitability. Consequently, the Salway index is similar to the MCP+ but there are a few key differences.
There has been a heavy emphasis placed on Weaning Weight (WWT) to select animals that are heavier than their contemporaries at a younger age. A negative weighting has also been introduced on Adult Weight (AWT) to try and cap adult ewe size. As this index continues to push weaning weight and minimise adult weight it should favour the curve benders that grow and mature early but only reach a moderate adult weight.
The Salway index also has a stronger emphasis on condition score through a weighting on Post Weaning Fat Depth (PFAT) and Post Weaning Eye Muscle Depth (PEMD). Animals with higher genetic condition score have the ability to lay down more condition when there is a surplus of feed and then utilise their energy stores in times of energy deficit such as lambing or drought.
Percentile Report Analysis Maternal
Drop Year 2023. Dated 15 December 2024
This acts as a double to assist with improving lamb survival, especially in adverse conditions as ewes have more energy reserves and lambs will be born with more fat cover.
The index also aims to push early maturity and lamb survival through increased weightings on some of the component reproduction traits. The Salway index has a stronger weighting on Yearling Conception (YCON) to assist in selecting the animals that will mature early and get in lamb as well as an increased emphasis on Conception (CON) and Ewe Rearing Ability (ERA). Salway is currently happy with their current litter sizes, so the index is now targeting the animals that get in lamb and rear more lambs.
The Salway index also aims to improve the ease of management of the animals it selects. There are negative weightings on both Post Weaning Worm Egg Count (PWEC) and Late Dag (LDAG) to try and reduce the amount of labour required to run these animals.
Overall, the Salway index has been developed to try and develop a profitable easy-care animal that is adapted to its environment.
AUSTRALIAN SHEEP BREEDING VALUES (ASBV’S) EXPLAINED
An ASBV’s is an estimate of the genetic potential a sheep has to pass on to its progeny. ASBV’s are available for a range of economical important traits and are designed to be used in conjunction with visual selection. The appearance and performance of an animal is a combination of its genes and the environment in which it is raised (e.g. the amount and quality of feed, single or twin or twin birth type.) ASBV’s account for these environmental effects, allowing the comparison of sheep based on the genes they will pass on to their progeny. It is important to remember when selecting sheep you are choosing the genes, not the environment. Reference – Lambplan ASBV’s www.sheepgenetics.org.au
BIRTH WEIGHT (BWT)
Rams with more negative BWT ASBVs produce lambs which are lighter at birth (kg). (BWT ASBV’s estimate the genetic difference between animals in live weight at birth). Use low or negative BWT for maiden ewes.
WEANING WEIGHT (WWT)
Estimates the genetic difference between live weights at 100 days. Rams with a more positive ASBV for weaning weight (WWT) will, on average, produce lambs with faster growth to weaning (kg).
WEIGHT (PWWT)
Post weaning weight estimates the genetic difference between animals (kg). The higher the ASBV figure the better for superior later growth of lambs.
ADULT WEANING WEIGHT (AWT)
Adult weaning weight at two years (kg).
FAT (PFAT)
Post weaning fat depth at approx. 225 days (mm). Rams with a more negative ASBV for post weaning fat (PFAT) will produce progeny that are leaner.
EYE MUSCLE DEPTH (PEMD)
Post weaning eye muscle depth at approximately 225 days. Rams with more positive ASBV’s for EMD will produce progeny that have more muscle and yield more lean meat (mm).
SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE (PSC)
Post weaning scrotal circumference (mm) Rams with larger testes will sire more daughters and wean a higher percentage of lambs.
YEARLING WEANING RATE (YWR)
Number of lambs weaned has been replaced with Yearling Weaning Rate (YWR). This describes the genetic difference between animals for the number of lambs that are weaned per joining event, when joined as ewe lambs.
WEANING RATE (WR)
Yearling Number of Lambs Weaned has been replaced with Yearling Weaning rate (YWR) –the number of lambs weaned per ewe joined, expressed in units of ‘number of lambs’. Weaning rate is calculated using the improved reproduction traits (conception, litter size, ewe rearing ability) and is derived by placing an economic value on each component trait at different average litter sizes.
WEC
Worm egg count (%) – Rams with more negative WEC ASBVs produce progeny who have a higher genetic potential to resist worm burdens. Lower WEC ASBVs are desirable.
MWWT
Maternal weaning weight (kg) – Rams with more positive MWWT ASBV’s will produce daughters that wean heavier lambs.
LATE DAG (LDAG)
Rams with a more negative LDAG ASBVs will produce progeny who have less day. Dag is recorded as a score, where a lower score indicates less dag (therefore lower LDAG ASBVs are desirable).
What it estimates: The genetic difference between animals in dag around the breech area.
SHEEP STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT
All rams have been independently structurally assessed by Henry Hickson of neXtgen Agri, henry@nextgenagri.com
ABOUT STRUCTURAL TRAITS
The ability for an animal to function effectively in the farming environment is of critical importance. The environmental pressures can vary considerably between different areas and different years. Animals that are more likely to survive and thrive are those that express sound leg and feet structure. While the economic impact of these traits is hard to express, early culling of animals due to structural failure can be expensive.
Part of selection for increased muscling has been about improving the muscle development in the hind-quarter and the width across the pins. In addition to increasing carcass value, ewes with improved shape tend to mature earlier, grow out to lower adult weights and have a high efficiency of lamb turn off.
Scoring the trait: The trait is best scored when animals have had some time to develop and have received nutrition to reach around 80% of mature body weight.
Why shape matters and what should you watch? As we strive for rapid early growth, the ability to conceive at 7 to 9 months of age and a cap on adult weight, a natural shape develops with ewes becoming lower set and wider across the pins. In some breeds this is confronting for people used to tall slab-sided animals but this mindset is changing.
The angle of the hocks tend to mirror each other. The ideal phenotype is back legs that are parallel with no obvious bend toward the centre. It doesn’t seem to vary with age and can be scored any time after weaning.
Scoring the trait: Hocks can be scored any time from weaning onwards. It is important that the animal is either standing naturally or walking away from you to assess it properly. They will look worse than they are when an animal is in a crate.
Why hocks matter and what should you watch? Poor hock structure can result in dag or urine stain accumulating on the inside of the hocks. Animals with poor hocks tend to be narrow behind and are undesirable.
Front foot twist is actually a structural trait rather than a foot trait. It scores the degree to which the feet a pointing perfectly to the front of the animal. It is linked to shoulder structure. There is very little information available about its link to animal longevity but like all structural traits the ‘perfect’ phenotype is preferred. For an animal to receive a 1 for this trait the feet must be pointing directly forward. It can be assessed at any age after weaning.
Scoring the trait: For an animal to receive a 1 for this trait the feet must be pointing directly forward. It can be assessed at any age after weaning.
Why front foot twist matters and what should you watch? At low levels (scores less than 3) a twist in the front feet probably has no impact on an animals wellbeing or productivity. However, the perfect sheep has feet pointing directly forward.
Back pastern angle can be linked to lameness and breakdown in some circumstances. Poor back pasterns tend to result in uneven footwear which manifests in overgrown back hooves and lameness. This is not always the case however low pasterns need to be avoided.
Scoring the trait: For an animal to score 1 the need to be very upright in the pastern with a slight angle only. Pastern angle is best assessed once the animals are of sufficient weight, normally between 200 and 350 days of age.
Why back pastern matters and what should you watch? Poor pasterns can also result in uneven wear in the feet resulting in poor foot shape. Pastern faults tend to become more obvious as an animal gets heavier.
Feet health is a really important aspect of sheep breeding. While some feet problems are independent of foot structure, it can have a significant impact on animal lameness. Lame animals suffer significant production losses and is both a welfare and productivity problem.
Scoring the trait: Foot roll needs to be assessed from front view of the foot. A separate score should be given to the front feet and back feet. It is best assessed when an animal is 200-350 days of age. It doesn’t matter in which direction the foot is rolling.
Why foot roll matters and what should you watch? We are recording foot roll as distinctive from a long grown out hoof. Long feet can be trimmed to look normal where as it is quite difficult to trim a rolled foot to look normal. Sheep that are being scored should not have had their feet trimmed.
Feet health is a really important aspect of sheep breeding. While some feet problems are independent of foot structure, it can have a significant impact on animal lameness. Lame animals suffer significant production losses and foot health is both a welfare and productivity problem.
Scoring the trait: In this scoring system, we refer to foot shape as the shape of the foot as viewed from the side. A separate score should be given to the front feet and back feet. It is best assessed when an animal is 200-350 days of age.
Why foot shape matters and what should you watch? Foot shape is under some genetic control but is also very heavily impacted by environmental conditions. Animals grazing rocky, dry areas tend to have better foot shape than those grazing under wet conditions. The trait won’t be expressed in all environments and that is important to remember. Feet should not have been trimmed.
Pastern angle is linked to shoulder structure and poor pasterns tend to result in uneven footwear. This can often result in long hoof growth and associated lameness problems. This is not always the case however low pasterns need to be avoided.
Scoring the trait: For an animal to score 1 the need to be very upright in the pastern with a slight angle only. Pastern angle is best assessed once the animals are of sufficient weight to put some pressure, normally between 200 and 350 days of age.
Why front pastern matters and what should you watch? Sheep with poor front pasterns tend to have poor shoulder structure and should be culled. Poor pasterns can also result in uneven wear in the feet resulting in poor foot shape. Pastern faults tend to become more obvious as an animal gets heavier.
SKIN
Assessed by Salway Maternal Composites
Score 1 Short staple, dense
Score 2
Some length, slightly open
Score 3 X bred type
SIDE VIEW
Score 1 Very straight
Score 2
Animals showing slight variation from the ideal
Score 3 Ideal
Score 4
Animals showing slight variation from the ideal
Score 5 Very sickled
Note: Score 5 not catalogued.
FEET COLOUR (FEET)
BREECH COVER (BCOV)
Refers to the natural bare skin around the perieneum and breech area. This helps to assist in selecting sheep with less wool on the breech.
Score 1 Natural bare cover
Score 3 Medium
Score 5 Has complete cover
Nutrien Boulton’s specialise in livestock sales and procurement. Our proactive livestock team has a wealth of experience servicing Walcha and regional NSW.
Miles Archdale 0428 660 326
Mat Larkings 0427 002 427
Simon Newton 0467 660 320 The
3n Derby Street, Walcha NSW. Ph 02 6777 2044
RobandAnna
REGISTER ONLINE Free, once off registration.
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210547
210831
Salway Reference Sires
Cloven Hills
220093
180189A
220109
180191A
Cloven Hills
180689A
220144
180793A
Cloven Hills
220258
220280
Salway Reference Sires
Cloven Hills
220309
180189A
220328
180191A
Cloven Hills
Salway Reference Sires
180689A
Cloven Hills
180793A
Cloven Hills
182214A
221392
CASHMORE OAKLEA 213253
Salway Reference Sires
Salway Reference Sires
CLOVEN HILLS 180887
Cloven Hills
Catalogue produced by Outcross Systems STOCKBOOK
CLOVEN HILLS 191527
180189A
Cloven Hills
180191A
180689A
Cloven Hills
180793A
Cloven Hills
182214A
5 FEBRUARY 2025 10.00AM – 12.00PM
From Walcha head east on the Oxley Highway towards Port Macquarie for approximately 4km.
Rob and Anna Mulligan
At the top of the three-lane hill, turn right onto the Brackendale Road. ‘Salway’ is approximately 33.5km from this turn off.
‘Salway’ 3346 Brackendale Road
Walcha NSW 2354
P 0427 773 914 or 0438 253 504
Email malpasriver@bigpond.com
The road is tar, then gravel. There is a steep tar hill down to McLeods Creek, after this bridge ‘Salway’ is the first property on the right with pine trees and stone entrance.
The woolshed is approximately 2km from the mail box.
