Some Sheep Breeds Found in Australia

Agricultural notes from James Gorman

The International Wool Secretariat has a lot of excellent information on sheep and wool in Australia including The Flock. The Australian Council of Wool Exporters has details on wool sales and growing wool in Australia. Some AgNotes related to sheep were to be found at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, but they were not online last time I looked. The CSIRO Division of Tropical Animal Production has a few research fact sheets related to sheep in northern Australia.

The Merino

The Superfine Merino

The Superfine (Saxon) Merino is best suited to cool to warm conditions with 500mm or more of rainfall. It is found in the highlands of Tasmania, the cooler areas of Victoria and the tablelands of New South Wales. It is used solely for wool in the finest fabrics.

Advantages

• Superfine, soft wool
• Reasonably hardy, although not as hardy as the medium and strong types

Disadvantages

• Not suited to areas of high dust or burr levels as these get caught in the coat and have to be removed
• High incidence of fly strike as there is an opening in the fleece on the back

The Medium Merino

The Medium (Peppin) Merino is suited to the harsher conditions of inland Australia. It is mainly used for wool in jumpers and expensive carpets, although excess stock may be sold as mutton or the ewes cross-bred for prime lambs.

Advantages

• No wool opening in the back
• More resistant to extremes of temperature
• Hardy and adaptable
• Burrs do not stick as well on this fleece

The Strong Merino

The Strong (South Australian) Merino is suited to semi-arid conditions of 250mm of rain or less and is found in South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. It is kept for wool but also produces useful mutton.

Advantages

• Thrives in arid regions
• High natural grease protects the fleece

Disadvantages

• Fleece rot occurs if kept in higher rainfall areas

The Corriedale

This breed is suited to many climates - from the New Zealand cold to the Australian heat. It is a dual-purpose sheep, used for wool and meat, as well as cross-breeding for prime lambs. The wool may be used for clothes or carpets.

Advantages

• Hardy and adaptable - tolerates longer periods of wet weather than the merino
• Matures quickly, giving good mutton
• High chance of having twins, so a flock can easily increase in numbers

Disadvantages

• Long wool causes a problem with seeds and burrs in long grass
• Fleece rot and body strike in high rainfall areas

The Border Leicester

The Border Leicester is suited for warmer, drier conditions. It is a dual purpose sheep which matures quickly and can be cross-bred for prime lambs which fatten quickly. The wool is used for hosiery and knitting wool.

Advantages

• Highly adaptable
• It has little fleece on its long legs, so seeds and burrs do not cause much trouble
• Does well on natural pasture

Disadvantages

• Coarse wool
• Lambs are not as good as Down breeds - as pastures improve the Border Leicester may become less popular

The Romney Marsh

This breed is best suited to cool, wet areas. It is a dual purpose sheep used for carpet wool, mutton and lamb, and it can be crossed for prime lambs.

Advantages

• Resistant to footrot and internal parasites
• Good prime lamb mothers

Disadvantages

• Grass seeds and burrs are a problem as it has long wool and short legs

The Dorset Horn

The Dorset Horn is best suited to warm, dry conditions. It is mainly a meat sheep, bit its wool can be used for hosiery or felt. This breed can also be used as a prime lamb sire or mother.

Advantages

• Adaptable
• Matures and fattens very quickly
• Good mothers
• Meat is of high quality
• Extended breeding season