Production class platform for value of objective measurement

Merino breeders have been evaluating and comparing their sheep visually for decades, preparing them to be subjectively assessed by one or more judges in a show ring. But more recently, the attraction of entering a sheep into a production class where objective measurement is introduced has increased.

Merino breeders have been evaluating and comparing their sheep visually for decades, preparing them to be subjectively assessed by one or more judges in a show ring. But more recently, the attraction of entering a sheep into a production class where objective measurement is introduced has increased.

More than ever, breeders are eager to identify the true value of their fleece and carcase traits which fundamentally rate the productivity of a Merino sheep. Over the last 10 to 15 years the Merino has evolved and is now often referred to as the ‘all purpose’ sheep – it is the ultimate producer, competing well on the meat front and is a high-value mother for prime lambs, not to forget the value of the fibre harvested. 

A Merino sheep’s fleece and carcase traits are two main drivers for success in any Merino production system.

This year at the 2023 Sydney Royal Sheep Show, 20 sheep were entered into the production class across four categories. The production competition is made up of objective measurements taken on the day, including fleece weight, liveweight, eye muscle area and fat depth, as well as those measured prior to the competition (such as micron and yield) to determine the value of the fleece based on the day’s values. 

All entered sheep are shorn on the day, which creates a great spectacle for the general public to watch on their visit to the Show. The fleece is then split three ways – fleece, skirting and locks, and bellies – and weighed, visually assessed using the AWEX ID system, then assigned a value. The sheep then heads off to be weighed and scanned for eye muscle and fat depth at the loin by an accredited scanner.

All of the results are then tallied to provide the total points, determining the winner based on overall production value.

Richard Chalker of LachRiver Merino & Poll Merino Stud, Darby’s Falls, NSW, said the production class allows the sheep to do the talking.

“Once you take the judges away from it in the show ring, the sheep does the talking in a production class,” he said.

“You can’t hide anything. You’ve got accurate body weight, fleece weight, carcase traits, the only thing judged subjectively is the conformation.

“Anyone can stand there and say a sheep is going to cut 20kg, but until you shear it you don’t actually know.

“Once shorn they are stripped back bare and other traits – good and bad – become visual, whether that’s good conformation or something else.

“You don’t be embarrassed by a fault, that’s part of it, you just try and fix it.”

Julie Barron of Adina Merino & Poll Merino Stud, Peak View, NSW, is a big supporter of the production class.

“The production class is one we will always enter at the Sydney Royal,” she said.

“You are putting your sheep out there for objective assessment.

“You are not trying to hide anything, and in a way, it is a learning process and when you do get recognised and win a ribbon it is validation of the productivity of our sheep.

“It is good for our own breeding objectives and our own mind and to confirm we are on the right track with our Merinos.”

Many thanks to RAS NSW Sheep & Wool Committee for providing the data in the results table.