Evolution
of the Australian Merino
The Australian Merino is not a single homogenous breed but
a number of ‘strains’ of sheep all of which, regardless
of their origins, are uniquely Australian.
The major factor determining the Merino’s development has been
the requirement for environmental suitability. Few, if any, domestic
animals in Australia or any other country have shown such resilience
or responded with such versatility and success to this country’s
enormous variations in climatic conditions, management and husbandry
techniques.
By skilful breeding and selection, the pioneer breeders set down the
foundation of the Australian Merino.
Today, technology plays an integral role in future decision-making.
Objective measurements are being provided by stud breeders which, when
combined
with subjective appraisal, help identify an animal’s genetic
traits.
With semen insemination and embryo transfer now a routine procedure,
future extensions of these techniques include sexed semen and production
of invitro fertilized embryos developed from eggs taken from young lambs.
Reliance on DNA tests is also fast becoming a reality, and experiments
with cloning are well underway.
The clip profile of wool has shifted in recent years. During the 1990s,
an increasing number of woolgrowers focused on fining their wool in an
attempt to capture the apparent premiums in the market. The rise in the
proportion of fine wool, particularly superfine wool, estimated to be
around 24% of the market, has seen the gap between fine and mid-micron
prices narrow.
Further information about Merino breeds is available at: www.merinos.com.au/history.asp
