Selection Aim

"Our aim is to make genetic progress in factors of economic importance to Merino breeders"

For over 30 years all ewes and rams in the GRASS system have been selected on performance plus visual classing. For the last 17 years final selection was made on an economically weighted selection index.

Major factors in the selection process include:

Grass Merinos
Mixed aged sires at "Sunnyside".

 Measured Characteristics:

  • clean fleece weight
  • body weight
  • micron
  • ability to rear a lamb
  • testicle size
  • yield
  • length & strength
  • breech wrinkle
  • breech bareness

 

Visual  Characteristics:

  • physical soundness
  • brightness of wool
  • soft handle of wool
  • style and character of wool
  • no face cover
  • low wrinkle
  • resistance to fleece rot

 

Progress:

GRASS rams are genetically moving ahead at 1.5% per year . Grass rams are tested in CTSE ( Central Test Sire Evaluations ) See Merino Superior Sires for results.