WAMMCO

A switch from saleyard  selling three years ago to WAMMCO contracts organised by Elders Albany agent  Ray Norman, is paying off for Wellstead prime lamb producer, Malcolm Fenwick.

A consignment of  124 East Friesian/SAMM ewe and wether lambs weighed in at an average of 26.31 kg to return Malcolm $88.81 per head (including $3 skin) and also to win him WAMMCO’s Producer of the Month award for June.

Malcolm says the benefits of dealing with WAMMCO are not only better prices and feedback, but an improved  planning ability.

“We operate  a 60 percent cropping, 40 percent sheep enterprise and being able to schedule the lambs through WAMMCO fits well with the system,” he said.

“Ray liaises with WAMMCO and assists me to weigh and draft the lambs for delivery.”

Malcolm said he introduced East Friesians to the Wellstead property about 8 years ago and had also used Hampshire genetics with success.  The first SAMM ewes were obtained about three years ago for their lean meat factor, and were now also contributing to an effective lamb breeding mix. The enterprise currently delivers around 1,000 lambs each year to WAMMCO. 

He said being close to the south coast had given him a seasonal advantage this year and his feed situation was better than most throughout drier areas of the state.

There has been a focus on forage sorghum to capitalise on excellent summer rains over the past few years, and this has assisted Malcolm to minimise hand feeding his sheep, even with the lighter start to this season.

He also has a pasture renovation program under way on the property to boost the feed potential for his increasing prime lamb enterprise, along with a cattle herd of 100 breeders developed over the past two years using Chargra and pastoral cattle.

Further details: Ian Brown WAMMCO  92620999, Media: Geoff Gare 95377669