Cranmore Merinos
For further information take at look at our rams or contact us. With over one thousand merino and poll merino rams available each year, you are sure to find that your needs are catered to with Cranmore Merinos.
Where are you going?
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Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
“Which road do I take,” she asked. His response was a question.
“Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t know.” Alice answered.
“Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.”
A goal must be set and adhered to for at least the medium term for measurable gains to be made. At Cranmore we set our goals and whilst there have been modifications over time; we have remained true to our original objectives.
The long term goals of Cranmore Merino Stud are to produce reliable, easy care sheep of good structure and excellent wool. The adherence to these goals over time has lead to Cranmore holding its position as one of the premium merino studs in Western Australia.
Our breeding objectives
What you see is what you get at Cranmore
Trials carried out by the Department of Agriculture in December 2005 found the average body weight of one hundred black and white tag (2000 and 2001 drop respectively) Cranmore ewes to be above the trial average. The Cranmore ewes weighed in at an average of 63.1 kilograms.
Through the extensive use of DNA testing each lamb has the parentage validated to allow us to use the pedigree data to give us a breeding value (ASBV) supplied by Sheep Genetics Australia. This data uses not only the individuals traits but also that of its siblings, parents, grandparents to give a more accurate estimation of ASBV.
Our progeny tell the story
Cranmore is a closed stud which means that our rams’ progeny will be very close to that of its father. See News.
Breeding objectives
For many years the practice of progeny testing has been followed at Cranmore Merino Stud so that the rams are found which possess the highest potential capacity to produce the maximum number of desirable traits.
Along with rating animals on the performance of their progeny, the introduction of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV) and DNA testing to the selection process has both streamlined and improved the accuracy of selection and performance of Cranmore genetics.
Breeding Programs
For many years the practice of progeny testing has been followed at Cranmore Merino Stud so that the rams are found which possess the highest potential capacity to produce the maximum number of desirable traits.
Progeny Testing
The best sire according to the previous year’s progeny tests determines which rams will be used in current year progeny tests. Semen is also taken from these rams and is available from Cranmore Merinos.
Each year, up to 20 rams are involved in progeny testing.
This is predominately done through the use of DNA parentage data, allowing us to identify the most productive sires through the performance of their progeny.
Mob matings
Ewes not mated to progeny test rams are mated in age groups. The ewes are mated for about five years, with a higher proportion of young ewes mated. Only the best of the older ewes are retained for mating.
Cranmore Merinos compare very favorably in Sire Evaluation Schemes with other studs in terms of measured data such as of greasy fleece weight, fibre diameter and body weight and objective measurements (see News). Trials carried out by the Department of Agriculture in December 2005 found the average body weight of one hundred black and white tag (2000 and 2001 drop respectively) Cranmore ewes to be above the trial average. The Cranmore ewes weighed in at an average of 63.1 kilograms.
Rams
Our progeny tell the story
Cranmore rams are distinctive in their uniformity.
Cranmore was for almost a century a closed stud which meant that our rams’ progeny would perform very closely to that of its father.
However in recent years Cranmore has introduced outside genetics through an artificial insemination program, so as to increase the opportunity for the Cranmore genetics to take the next step in performance with increased Fleece Weights and Carcase traits being the priority.
Breeding the Easy-Care Merino
Together with strategic worm tests of all sheep on the property, a long term program of extensive feacal egg counting of all worker rams over the past ten years has resulted in the need for drenching at Cranmore has reduced immensely.
In addition, the careful selection of plain bodied, loose skinned sheep has greatly reduced the wrinkle on the sheep thus lowering the incidence of fly strike and shearing cuts.
Above: The ram in these photos was specially selected as a 'bare breached' ram.
- quality wool, well packed and free from body wrinkles
- highly aligned, uniform, white, bright wool with low fibre diameter & CV, and a high greasy fleece weight
- very strong genetic reliability with high fertility
- a sound body structure
- with low faecal egg counts.
Above: Progeny test rams
Ewes
Each ewe is individually identified by the ram she is mated to in the progeny testing so that each ram's progeny can be assessed.
Cranmore Ewes
Ewes for single mating for progeny tests.
Contact Us
Cranmore Farming Partnership
(formerly Boolardy Pastoral Co.)
Located at:
631 Cranmore Road, Bindi-Bindi, WA 6574
Mailing Address:
RSM 427 Moora WA 6510
Mr Kristin Lefroy
Mob: 0418 925 760
Email: kristinlefroy@cranmore.com.au
Conducting Agents
Nutrien Moora
Craig Williamson
Mob: 0429 813 988
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Location map of Cranmore
