Sponsor Spotlight: Pastora Poll Merinos
Pastora Poll Merinos
Located in Lockhart, southern NSW, Pastora Poll Merinos is recognised as one of the leading suppliers of Poll Merino rams in the region. The operation spans 3,800 hectares of varied soil types, including clay plains and red loam, with an annual rainfall of 425mm that supports its extensive pastoral activities.
Innovative Management Practices
Central to Pastora's success is its approach to emulating commercial conditions. Managing 5,000 stud ewes at maximum stocking rates, Pastora refrains from using self-feeders or supplements, reflecting real-world scenarios faced by commercial producers. This management style is integral to their maintenance and stud selection processes. During difficult periods, maintenance feeding is conducted by trail, ensuring the sheep remain productive and resilient.
Exceptional Breeding Objectives
Pastora’s breeding program focuses on achieving excellence in both wool quality and meat production. The main objectives include:
Fine Wool Production: Targeting a fleece micron of 17 while maintaining fleece weights comparable to those of stronger wool breeds.
Fertility and Growth: Producing fertile sheep with plain bodies and advanced growth rates, suited for surplus sheep markets.
Versatile Wool Quality: Ensuring wool performs well across different environmental conditions, as evidenced by successful trials in both drought and wet seasons.
In 2021, the stud ewes, aged between two and seven years, averaged a fleece weight of 7.6kg for 12 months’ growth, with an average micron of 17.2. Additionally, in 2020, these ewes weaned 119% of lambs from ewes joined, and recent pregnancy scanning reveals a conception rate of 166% in mature ewes and 150% in maidens.
Rigorous Selection Process
Pastora employs a thorough selection process to ensure high-quality genetics. Ewe and ram lambs are assessed at five months for structural faults, wool quality, and fleece weight. Ram weaners are fleece weighed at nine months and micron tested at 12 months. About 30% of the ram drop is available for sale at 13 months. Ewe weaners are also fleece weighed and micron tested at their second shearing, with only the top 50% joining the stud.
Pastora Poll Merinos is contributing a $1,600 voucher for the purchase of an auction ram to the PWS Annual Fundraiser.
2024 Ram Sale
The Pastora Poll on property ram auction is approaching fast! On Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, 120 rams will go under the hammer, followed by private ram sales in the preceding days.
For additional information about Pastora Poll Merinos interested parties can contact Tim Westblade on 0429 205 423 or or visit their website https://pollmerinos.com.au.