Flock

Continuous flock selection plays a major part in developing the quality of the flock.

In 1991 & 1992 a progeny trial was done assessing three different sire groups, each joined to 900 ewes of one age group. The Hazeldean progeny consistently achieved the best results.

From 1993 Hazeldean rams only were selected on a yearly basis from the Hazeldean stud. These rams were consistently 1 to 2 microns finer than the average and of higher fleece cut.

In 1999 all 10,000 ewes were mid-side sampled. Ewes from all age groups measuring 1.3 microns above the average of their individual age group were culled. This represented 25% of the flock.

Increased pressure is now being placed on the selection of finer rams from Hazeldean.

Shearing
Shearing is usually February at the Deepwater Shed. The forecast is of a good sound wool cut of 19 micron. Wool cut will total approximately 95,000 kilograms from adults and 20,000 kgs of lambs wool. The lambs are usually shorn in April.