WAMMCO

A mix of SAMM/White Suffolk and Merino genetics and a breeding program designed to deliver lambs to WAMMCO in the ‘gap’ between old and new season’s lamb supplies, has rewarded the cooperative’s 2007 September Producers of the Month, Phil and Ingrid Anderson of Uranbah Estate, Tambellup .

Phil is a descendant of  one of the Great Southern’s traditional Merino breeding families, but changed course to 100 percent prime lamb production four years ago.

“We now buy in Merino ewes when the price is right, and mate them to SAMMs to produce an F1 mother with the wether lambs going to WAMMCO. We then use  White Suffolk rams over the FI ewes to produce the lambs we are looking for,” Phil said.

“The WAMMCO lambs are shorn and carried through the summer on stubbles with some supplementary grain so that they can be delivered in the ‘gap’ between old and new season’s lamb.

“There is always  the risk of emerging teeth, but generally we have done well by taking the weight and grade price on the day.”

The winning September consignment from Uranbah consisted of 361 lambs with an average weight of 23.87 kg and an average value per kg of $2.99.

The average price per lamb was $76.40 after adding in the average $5.15 per skin.

Weight class percentages were evenly spread, with 21.1 percent in the 20.1-22kg class, 29.1 percent in the 22.1-24 kg class, 25.7 percent in the 24.1-28 kg class and 19.7 percent above 26 kg.

Uranbah currently has a flock of 2,000 ewes, including about  400 FI Samm/Merinos and Phil is aiming to improve this number for breeding.

He said the property had enjoyed good opening rains in April followed by a dry spell, then an average finish.

Barley and canola are his predominant crops with lesser amount of  wheat, lupins and oats.

Phil said he had not entered Uranbah lambs in WAMMCO’s statewide competition to this point, but may decide to compete in the future.

Further details: Geoff Gare 953 77669