South East Merino Field Days

Warrawee Park

Stud Owner: Michael & Janet Allen

Postal Address: PO Box 94, Keith SA 5267

Phone: 08 8755 1126

Fax: 08 8755 1551

Mobile: 0418 854 339

Email: allenm@harboursat.com.au

South East Field Day:

Date- Thursday 11th August 2011
Time- 11:00am
Location- On Property

Michael and Janet Allen and their family have
always kept commercial focus on their paddockreared
Poll Merinos. They have a sound testing
program with their own commercial flock and it is a
major component of their overall property enterprise
mix. This commercial focus ensures maximum total
sheep profitability for not only their flock but for those
of clients as well. Eye appeal of specially prepared
sheep is one thing but it could be strongly argued that
the Warrawee Park sheep are as productive and
profitable as any in the State. A carefully-planned
breeding program that includes fleece testing of all
potential breeding rams and ewes has enabled
Warrawee Park to achieve a steady reduction in flock
microns to the current 20 to 21 without sacrificing the
stud’s renowned heavy fleece and body weights which
continue to increase. Last year, their paddock-reared
and presented 16-month-old sale rams averaged just
20μ on pre-sale wool testing and had high
bodyweights, many in excess of 110 kilograms. The
Allen family offers the top 60 per cent of their rams (80
to 100 in number) annually at their August on-property
sale (Thursday, August 11, 2011). Top and average
prices received another well-deserved lift last year as
clients coming from different environs recognised
productivity gains achievable, supplemented by
competition from a few new buyers. Flock fertility is a
focus at Warrawee Park with average lambing
percentage of well over 100pc marked from all ewes
mated (including maidens) for over a decade. This
enables the Allen family and their clients to maintain
real selection pressure and rapid genetic gain in all
selection areas. The stud’s off-shears sale of surplus
ewes and wether lambs has been a highlight on the
State sales calendar for a long time. A Warrawee Park
record of $226 a head was achieved last year for
surplus young ewes, topping sales once again in the
region. The stud and commercial flock is accredited
Ovine Brucellosis free (Cert No 703) and carries MV3
status in the National Johnes Program (Cert No
5173).