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What should I look for when purchasing Australian Whites?
Did you know there are several factors that contribute to an animals appearance including breed characteristics, nutrition, environment and management? Every stud also has different ways of preparing and presenting stock for sale.
It is important to consider many factors when purchasing Australian Whites or any new sire, to ensure they perform well for your needs when you bring them home.
We've prepared a shortlist of some of the important factors you should consider when looking to purchase stock for your Australian White breeding operation.
Structure & Breed Type
If you're in the sheep game you'll likely know all about basic animal structure, but it is important to familiarise yourself with the specific breed characteristics and breed type of the breed you are looking to purchase to aid in your selection and assessment.
The Australian White was developed as an easy-care animal with a good temperament that does not require shearing or crutching, and quality stock should display these characteristics from the get-go.
NAWSS has developed a document that provides a thorough description of the breed standards and characteristics of Australian White sheep in Australia. This is a great reference tool to familiarise yourself with what to look for when purchasing Australian Whites.
Purebred? Ask for a pedigree!
If you're looking to purchase purebred Australian Whites then we suggest making sure you receive a pedigree, or at minimum Sire and Dam information of the rams/ewes you are interested in to be sure of the stock you are purchasing.
A special tag to assure "genuine" and "quality" Australian Whites doesn't mean anything if there isn't at least a pedigree showing the breeding history of the ram or ewe you are purchasing to claim the purebred status.
If you are purchasing from a breeder claiming to be a Stud make sure they are registered with an Australian White breed society. Look for a breed society logo, Registered Flock Number or Stud ID, or search the breed society member list online.
Registered studs are usually required to follow a set of rules and requirements so they are able to sell stud stock, and to promote their registered stud status. This includes the ability to register a stud ram and transfer it to you if you are also a registered stud.
Shedding Ability - Are they presented shorn or unshorn?
Australian Whites are natural shedders and renowned for their shedding ability. Some breeders choose to shear their Australian Whites so they don't look "daggy" at sale mid-shedding, which doesn't give a you a true representation of their shedding ability.
In summer, Australian Whites that have a coat entirely made up of hair or which carry only a little wool along the back, are considered ideal.
If good shedding ability is a trait that you desire then we encourage you to check if the stock is presented unshorn. An unshorn Australian White is the most accurate way to be sure of its natural shedding ability.
Environment
Australian Whites are suited to most Australian pastoral conditions. Consideration should be given however to if they are bred in a similar environment to your own.
Sourcing stock from a similar environment enables you to see how they handle that environment firsthand before you purchase them.
For example, Aussie Whites reared in a high rainfall climate should do better at keeping the condition you purchase them in if you are from a similar climate or area. If you're moving them to a completely different environment they may take some time to adjust.
Nutrition & Management
There are many different nutrition and management options for breeders. It is good to ask how the stock you are purchasing are fed and managed. Purchasing stock that come from a similar management and nutrition focus to your own helps to ensure that the condition of your stock can be easily maintained.
If you are planning for your new rams/ewes to graze on grass in paddocks, then choosing stock that have been presented for sale with a similar principle will see them continue to thrive at their new home.
Remember that grain fed rams may look more appealing, but feeding influences aren't going to be passed onto any progeny!
Genetics & ASBV's
Genetics and breeding values are a great tool to use to accelerate your flock's performance. ASBV's (Australian Sheep Breeding Values) are generated by data that stud breeders collect to provide a prediction of an animal's genetic merit for certain traits, and offer an indication of how an animal's progeny will perform.
There are many different ASBV's that focus on traits such as growth, carcase and eating quality, reproduction, and health. You can use these to compare the genetic difference between animals to better select sires that will suit your breeding goals and objectives.
If you are interested in genetics and ASBV's then look for a stud that can provide breeding values on their stock, and seek their assistance to interpret breeding values if you need.
This video produced by MLA provides a great explanation and overview of ASBV's. You can find out more information at MLA's Genetics hub here.
Budget - what price are you prepared to pay?
A fair price for a new stud ram could be argued greatly in the current market for Australian Whites, and there are many variances and factors that need to be taken into consideration.
Ultimately it comes down to working out what you are looking for to suit your breeding goals, how highly you rate the ram after your research and assessment, and what you are prepared to pay to help you justify any cost.
A high performing sire will provide greater productivity to your flock, so it is important to decide what this is worth for you and make sure you do your research to ensure you feel you are getting what you pay for.
You also need to consider that a competitive market may see stock you are interested in go for a much higher value than you expected. It is good to have a list of rams (or ewes) that you are interested in incase you miss out on your top choices.
Remember that a sound ram with a reserve price of $1,500 can meet your breeding objectives and be just as rewarding as a ram with a reserve of $10,000 or more.
Here's a handy generic guide with some good tips on how to shop for a new sire: Access Guide