Spring Valley in shedding move

A number of years ago Spring Valley Stud decided to transition from White Suffolk prime lamb flock, of about 1000 ewes into a shedding flock.

“We  aimed  to retain the prime lamb carcase we had achieved from our White Suffolks,” the stud’s Sally Keen said.

“Our main reason for the change was to reduce labour requirements and costs associated with shearing and crutching, which were increasing while the return for the Downs wool of the White Suffolk had declined significantly. 

“With the reduced labour requirements, we budgeted that we could increase our flock numbers without employing additional staff. 

“After considerable research we settled on the UltraWhite as the main breed to introduce the shedding gene due to its extra benefit of its excellent carcase, growth and muscle. 

“We purchased top genetics from Hillcroft Farms which were proven and fully recorded on Lambplan,” she said.

To speed up the shedding process, the stud also introduced some other shedding breeds such as the Wiltipol, a breed highly regarded for its excellent eating quality and distinctive black feet, making them well suited for Tasmania’s wetter conditions.

“We have reduced shearing and crutching costs, which also means no checks on lambs at their prime growing time, plus the additional bonus of no flystrike.

“It has taken four years of selective breeding to get to this stage, but in the last two years we have jumped ahead and their progeny are now full shedders, while retaining a prime lamb that consistently meets market specs. 

“The recent feedback from our lambs sold directly to abattoirs has been excellent, matching the results we achieved with our previous White Suffolks.

“As part of our ongoing breeding program, rams are now available for sale, with ram numbers increasing over the coming years.

We market them under the name of ‘Southern White Tas’, fully recorded and can be directly compared with all other meat sheep breeds on Lambplan.

With the introduction of a ‘Southern White’ or ‘UltraWhite’ shedding sire, an immediate benefit to most flocks that are producing prime lambs, will be cleaner points, and a reduced crutching requirement, while still retaining a premium prime lamb,” Ms Keen said.