Harvest was started and finished with mixed results, but generally good quality grain. Later sown crops were able to benefit from the big rain in October. Drought and frost affected most of our earlier sown crops. Rams were removed from ewes after they had been in for a month.
Careful selection of sires for the mating groups of ewes was carried out. Rams were added near the end of the month and will be active while we are busy with harvest.
The last of our post sale deliveries of rams were made and some classing of ewe lambs for a client showed the value of putting Dohne rams over BL x Mo ewes to improve wool quality. Merino Superior Sires 30 was published with Glen Holme 206139 rising to the top rank in Merino Lamb, one
We were awarded the Champion Dohne Fleece at the Royal Adelaide Show. Our ram sale was successful in that we sold Dohnes to a top of $3,200 twice. Poll Merino ram sales increased in both numbers and average price.
Classing young rams enabled selection of the sale team, and by implementing some of the newly available standard visual scores, we were more confident than previous years in determining the lotting order. Some surplus sheep were turned out to market; returns are much better than in 2023.
Lamb mothering up to establish accurate pedigree before marking and scoring was completed. The bulk of our cropping program was completed, compromised by the need to find feed for hungry sheep. Extremely dry conditions continued, with little pasture growth.
We measured the first of what would become a season opening rain at the beginning of this month. Eventually the need for feeding hay and grain would be reduced. Planting our grain crops began with damp soil. Joy and Allen attended the Macquarie Sire Evaluation final Field Day, where we were pleased with how Glen
We managed to get all our grown ewes and the Autumn 2023 drop lambs shorn. Supplementary feeding continues to increase as the dry paddock feed diminishes. The Dohne ewes began lambing. Pasture paddocks were sown dry to ensure germination on the first rain and with warm soil.
Allen and Joy inspected both age groups at the Balmoral Sire Evaluation site in the Western Districts of Victoria. The display of hoggets included progeny of Glen Holme 206139, and as expected, they were very good for growth, fat and muscle. They were to be shorn the next week, with the fleece weights the last
