The Yanko’s Breeding Direction

For many years The Yanko utilized ESBV’s to measure breeding values within the stud. Since 2014 ASBV’s have been implemented to allow us to compare The Yanko’s sheep to the national flock. The use of these breeding values will provide clients with greater information on each ram, helping to select sires possessing the traits that best suit their operation and have the biggest impact on their bottom line. We endeavor to provide clients with the most up to date tools for the selection of their genetics, and with the help of ASBV’s rams can be assessed for fleece, carcase and fertility traits. The Yanko continues to use Wool Production Plus to improve breeding values to increase fleece weights and reproduction rates while maintaining micron and body weight. This is in conjunction with visual assessment to produce rams displaying stylish medium wool, with good length of staple and a high wool cut.

MerinoLink Sire Evaluation

The Yanko Enfield (130003), a son of The Governor a ram purchased from Sims Uardry, has performed exceptionally well in objective and subjective measurements as shown below (No 10,Figure 1d) below. Of particular interest was the very low ratio of culls in The Yanko Enfield progeny where they performed well for growth, structurally sound and good wool.

The MerinoLink Sire Evaluation site at Jugiong is an accredited Central Test Sire Evaluation (CSTE) site. It conforms to the requirement of the Australian merino Sire Evaluation Association (AMSEA).

The 2016 drop is the third (3rd) joining at Jugiong and complements the previous sire evaluations in 2014 and 2015.

The information in this site evaluation report provides a comprehensive assessment of the 2016 drop at the Yearling assessments of the sire’s progeny performance, both measured and visually assessed traits. The information reported is based on a within flock analysis of the sire progeny being evaluated.

Source: MerinoLink 2016 Drop Sire Evaluation – Yearling Report

2017 Events

14-16 July – Display at Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Bendigo

28 September – The Yanko On-Property Ram Sale

Australian Wool Initiative Young Growers China Tour

Ian Cameron’s account of the 2017 AWI young growers study tour along with 13 wool growers and 2 AWI representatives. The tour focused around meeting buyers and processing facilities near Shanghai including Sunshine Group, Tianyu Wool, Nanjing Wool Market and Xinao Knitwear Development Centre as well as the Nanshan Group in Longkou. It also visited AWI offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai to see research and developments in the use of the fibre and also marketing of woollen products on a global scale.

A highlight was two nights spent with the Nanshan group, operating in textiles, the aluminium industry, finance, aviation, real estate, education, and tourism. The Shandong Nanshan Fabric and Garment Company hosted the group. This is a fully integrated fabric and garment producer from wool purchase through to high end garment production. On the second evening Chairman Zhao Qiang of the Fabric and Garment Company subsidiary hosted a meeting and dinner providing a forum to discuss the future of the wool industry and current trends. It was a great event showcasing the commitment from both parties to the wool industry.

The opportunity to travel to Xinao Textiles was exciting to see developments in the processing of the fabric. Xinao is a world leading worsted spinner of wool which is increasing productive capacity from 60,000 metres spun yarn to 90,000 metres over the next 2 years. Of all processing facilities Xinao are using the newest technology and investing the most into future developments.

A continuing question during the trip was surrounding the quantity of fine/superfine wool being produced (16.5 to 18.5 micron). There are worries that the supply of fibre is too small and this led to discussions regarding the low relative prices for finer wool styles compared to medium wool. Garment manufacturers are seeing a change in consumer preferences to fabrics made from a sustainable, natural fibre. A large growth area for woollen garments is in next to skin and active/sportswear clothing which requires superfine wool for production. At most locations there was a lack of understanding of geographic barriers preventing growers producing different styles of wool. They also wanted to know how long it would take for fine/medium wool growers to transition to the super fine market.

China has invested greatly in capital which can be used for wool processing only. This has led to them committing themselves to the industry as they need Australian Merino wool as much as Australia needs them to buy it. There is potential for a shift of power back to the wool grower as more countries take up wool processing such as Vietnam and India.

2016 Post Sale Report

2016 Ram Sale

Despite 35mls of rain in the lead up to The Yanko On Property Ram Sale Stud Principles Hugh and Heather Cameron were pleased with the attendance, seeing six first time buyers and many return clients. There was an increase in the number of rams on offer from 64 last year to 72 with a full clearance to top of $5,500 and average price $1,800. Immediately post auction twenty rams were sold as demand was high on the day and clients had missed out.

The top priced ram was Lot 12, a Poll Merino which sold to G & L Howard, Illawarra Merino Stud Milbrulong. The Ram displays 20.3 micron wool and a Yearling Clean Fleece Weight (YCFW) of 25.4 which places the Sire in the top 4% of the 2015 drop. Rams sold to Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

The Cameron Family would like to congratulate all purchasers and thank under bidders for their support on the day.

Ian Cameron, Graeme Howard, Hugh Cameron

2016 Ram Sale Catalogue

Click here to download the 2016 Ram Sale Catalogue