AWI will undertake an analysis to determine the economic impact of alternative sheep breeds on a traditional pastoral wool enterprise.

In recent years a variety of exotic sheep breeds have become available to Australian wool growers. Some of these breeds such as the Damara and Dorper are primarily meat breeds, which produce large lamb carcasses. These sheep naturally shed their fleeces and do not require shearing.

These breeds have created much interest amongst pastoral zone producers who often find it difficult to source shearers and are looking for ways to reduce production costs. The profitability of these meat production enterprises relative to traditional wool growing Merino or dual purpose Dohne enterprises has not been independently assessed for the pastoral zone.

This project will provide;

• A comprehensive report on the impact of alternative sheep breeds on the profitability of pastoral wool enterprises using existing literature and pastoralists’ experience
• Case studies that illustrate the findings of the report
• Information to assist pastoralists’ to make sound profit and management decisions on alternative sheep breeds based on; 
  • The available feedbase
  • Standard gross margins using the best comparative data available
  • The capital and opportunity costs of a breed swap.