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The AMM flock is located at "Keri Keri", Moulamein, in south western New South Wales. The average annual rainfall is 300 millimetres. The AMM sheep are Poll Merinos and are run with the Keri Keri Merinos.

History:

The AMM flock was developed by Jim Watts and Andrew Dowling. It is a highly successful scientific experiment which set out to to redesign the Merino sheep genetically. The breeding project started in 1993. The AMM sheep are based on the Keri Keri Merino ewes, a closed flock rigorously selected for survivability, feed conversion efficiency, milking ability and high weaning percentages. Several White Suffolk/White Dorper rams were used as foundation sires, specifically for enhancing carcase traits. We wanted the AMM sheep to be environmentally and reproductively fit at all times and to be able to reach new standards for wool quantity and quality.

We knew that this required the sheep to be very plain-bodied and completely open faced with the animals looking like clones. We had also observed that lamb survival, carcase growth and wool growth were optimised when the ewes milked from four teats and the lambs were born with long and fine birthcoats. Central to our success has been knowing how to manipulate wool follicle formation so that the density and length of wool fibres grown by the sheep are maximised. For example, by 2003 and under drought conditions, our 12 months old ewes grew over 200 millimetres of 17.5 micron wool. The AMM flock is a clear demonstration of innovative scientific breeding and shows equally clearly that Merino sheep can match the meat breeds of sheep for carcase and lamb production whilst producing fleeces of exceptional quantity and quality.

People:

Jim Watts is a veterinary scientist who has specialised in breeding advanced fleeces on sheep, goats and alpacas. Jim and Sally Watts live at Bowral, New South Wales.

Andrew Dowling owns Keri Keri Merino Stud. With his partner, Tarsh Rodda, they manage both the AMM Poll Merino Stud and the Keri Keri Merino Stud.

Benefits:

• high net feed efficiency which allows the animals to thrive on pasture of low quantity and quality.

• high milk producers that wean up to 130% of lambs. Many of the ewes have four milking teats. Lamb survival is excellent.

• 7 months old lambs have reached an average carcase weight of 26 kilograms and yielded 53% red meat.

• adult ewes produce about 8.0 kilograms of 18.5 micron wool.

• the skin that is totally free of wrinkle and is able to stay completely dry even when prolonged and heavy rain falls. Wet skin conditions like 'urine scald' and fleece rot do not occur, and consequently the sheep are naturally resistant to blowfly strike.

• mulesing and body jetting with insecticides are not required.

• AMM rams from the 2008 and 2009 lamb drops had the following mean breeding values for body growth, carcase and fertility:

+ 6.0 kgs for yearling body weight

+ 1.0 mm for yearling eye muscle depth

+ 1.6 cm for post-weaning scrotal circumference.

• the proportions of AMM rams in the top 5% of industry rams at post weaning were: 57% for body weight, 21% for eye muscle depth and 35% for scrotal circumference.

Contacts:

Jim Watts

tel: + 61 (0) 4862 2050

mobile: 0409 364 864

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Andrew Dowling

tel: + 61 (0) 350 340 591

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

web: www.kerimerino.com