3rd August 2010: Progeny test demonstrate low lamb mortality

We are currently progeny testing our four leading 2009 drop sires over first cross ewes for a number of functional traits including ease of lambing, lamb growth rate, post weaning growth rate and carcass quality.  Pooling the lambing data reveals very low lamb mortality from scanning to 3 weeks post lambing, see table below.  Lambing occurred from July 10^th to 15^th this year, rainfall over that time was 42mm, night time temperature 0-3°C, day time temp 6 - 12°C.

Progeny Test Group Lambing Data

No. ewes lambing                                                                       115

No. lambs scanned                                                                     191

Losses from lambing to 24 hours post lambing                             20

Losses from 24 hours post lambing to 3 weeks post lambing         0

Pre-weaning lamb mortality to date                                             10.4%

Number of ewes assisted                                                               0      

"Normal" mortality in these weather conditions with 1.66 lambs born per ewe in paddocks with average but not excellent shelter is 15-20%.

1.08.10 : Charollais outperform leading terminal sires in New Zealand

Murray Rolhoff, South Island, New Zealand used Charollais Australia genetics over his ewes in 2009 and commented;

"I am very impressed with the Charollais x lambs.  They were easy lambing and the lambs got up and suckled quickly.  The lambs grew fast and muscled up well.  The Charollais x have out grown the high growth rate SIL recorded terminal sires that they were compared.  The Charollais x lambs look as if they will yield extremely well.  At this early stage I think that the Charollais breed will play an important role in improving the meat yields, growth rates and ease of lambing in terminal sires in New Zealand".

20.07.10 : Visit us at Sheepvention 2009, 2nd and 3rd August.        

Come and see the Charollais sheep and meet Colin, Anthony and Ian.

We will be in the Sheep Marquee.

15.04.10 : First shipment of Charollais embryos to New Zealand

In March 2010 Murray Rolhoff and Peter Ponsonby of Gore, Southland imported 40 Charollais embryos and 100 straws of Charollais semen to establish the first flock of Charollais in New Zealand.