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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(7)

Strategic use of sheep coats can improve your economic return

S. Hatcher A B , K. D. Atkins A and K. J. Thornberry A
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A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange NSW 2800, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: sue.hatcher@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 762-767 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08036
Submitted: 15 January 2008  Accepted: 8 April 2008   Published: 20 June 2008

Abstract

Merino wethers from a mixed bloodline flock in western New South Wales were coated for varying periods of time after shearing between August 1999 and August 2000. The coated and a similar number of uncoated control wethers from each of nine bloodlines (three fine and six superfine) were grazed together as part of a larger mob. Dyebands were placed in the fleeces of each wether before fitting of the coats and were removed before shearing when a midside sample was taken and several subjective assessments and objective measurements were made of each fleece. It was concluded that coating sheep for 6 months after shearing is as effective in improving the quality of the Merino fleece as coating for the entire 12 month period between annual shearings. Strategic coating of sheep after shearing is a viable option for wool producers to both reduce some of the management implications of coating and extend the useful life of sheep coats. Importantly, the magnitude of the net financial gain will vary according to the prevailing micron premium and premiums and discounts applied to style and vegetable matter. A software tool is described that allows producers to identify the potential financial gain in any market scenario.


Acknowledgements

The CRC for Premium Quality Wool and NSW Agriculture provided financial support for this project. In addition Matt Kendall and Will Cunningham at Condobolin ARAS provided assistance with fitting and removal of coats during the trial. Laurie Barwick was been responsible for the daily management of the fine wool wether flock at Condobolin over the life of the project, his efforts were always greatly appreciated.


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