Selection System at Terrick Merinos: Queensland Merino Stud

Since 2001, the stringent selection system for Terrick bred rams has entailed indexing on two micron tests and one fleece weight.

Once the animals have been indexed and ranked they then have to pass a visual classing for conformation and wool quality, keeping a healthy balance between wool growing, fertility, frame and structure.

Breeding a balanced animal across all production criteria means selection is evenly weighted across all traits and not singly focused. View Terrick Merinos' breeding objective.

Diagram: Selection system for Terrick bred rams

5 months

Weaning – even -up shearing and weaning body weights.

10 months

Second shearing with a fleece weight and a light subjective classing.

14 months

Fibre diameter test plus a body weight.

All figures are collated and animals are indexed and ranked.

15 months

Stringent subjective classing into reserves, auctions, specially selected and selected animals.

Clients can use comprehensive figures on each animal to customise ram selection to target their own production objectives.

The aim of this rigourous selection system, which is closely aligned with the Department of Primary Industries' advice on flock genetic improvement, is to produce a ‘whole of industry’ animal to maximise all areas of income.

Genetics

Terrick Merinos is currently benchmarking rams against the central test sire evaluation (CTSE) so that genetic gain can be properly measured and monitored.

Through the CTSE and other sources, genetics are scrutinised with a view to purchase for future artificial insemination (AI) programs. At the same time, selected sires from Terrick will continue to be progeny tested in the CTSE.

Clients will reap the flow-on effects through their ram purchases as the stud continues to genetically improve.

Contact terrickmerinos@bigpond.com for more information.