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Property Name: Gundibri, Cromarty, Coolaburra

Location: Merriwa, Bingara, Brewarrina

History:

Donald and Margaret Munro immigrated to Australia from Scotland in 1848. By 1858 Donald Munro had accumulated sufficient financial backing to buy “Keera” at Bingara, which is still held by members of the Munro family.

Donald’s youngest son, Hugh Robert, in partnership with Thomas Cook of Scone, managed a large pastoral business. Included in the business were Keera, Oakhurst, Gundibri, Cubbaroo, and Wyaga (Queensland) which Hugh was able to purchase from Thomas Cook’s estate.

Doug Munro came to manage Gundibri in the 1930’s until his death in 1966. Angus Munro took over the management of Gundibri at Merriwa and Cromarty, a part of the original Keera Station.

People:

Since the mid 1980’s Angus’ two sons, James and Ranald, have taken over the day-to-day management of these two properties and Angus has become more involved with his western expansion of Cooliburra at Brewarrina.

Jim Watts was introduced to the Gundibri sheep in 1996 because of the need to lift the productivity of the flock. The Munros realised their sheep needed to cut more wool per hectare of land grazed and to retain the softness required for garment production that is comfortable to the wearer. Jim has been classing the flock continuously since then.

Sustainable Production:

Rams bred at Gundibri have to be able to deliver results in three very variable localities. The Merriwa district receives an annual average rainfall of 600mm, and this can fall in either summer or winter events. The highly fertile basalt soils grow a mix of native summer grasses, winter ryes and naturalised medics.

The Bingara country has a higher annual rainfall of 700-750 mm, which is largely summer dominant. Summer dominant pastures of Red grass, Corkscrew, and Queensland blue grass prevail, with some winter medics growing from trap and basalt soils.

At Brewarrina the average rainfall is 350 mm and can fall at any time of the year or not at all. The sheep graze soft brown soils, alluvial floodplains or red clay pans.

Management objectives include producing sheep that are very productive but at the same time low maintenance. The sheep cannot be susceptible to fly strike or worms, and mulsing is no longer a necessary practice for the sheep bred by the Munros. The sheep are very plain bodied, having no wrinkle that can capture moisture, and grow long white stylish wool.

Mulesing is no longer a necessary practice in the Munro’s sheep management as the breeding of plain bodied sheep has reduced the incidence of breach strike to a level manageable by alternative methods such as crutching.

The low level of inflexible skin wrinkle has also allowed a considerable reduction in the reliance on chemical control for body strike.

The rotational grazing of pastures by larger mobs of sheep provides a tool to maintain pasture in a more vegetative state, allowing for increased productivity as the animals graze higher quality feed and reduce the incidence of spot grazing.

Benefits of SRS®

We aim to produce wool that when processed and made into garments is soft and comfortable to the consumer. It should have the ability to stretch and drape beautifully for the discerning buyer.

The level of productivity on our land will improve with sheep that have the ability to cut more wool per head and per hectare of land grazed. The sheep will be treated with the minimal chemical treatments because they are resistant to flies and worm parasites.

We hope to be able to breed sheep that will be able to thrive in all climates.

Contacts:
Name: James Munro
Address: “Gundibri”, Merriwa NSW 2329
Ph: 02 65482276
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /

Name: Ranald Munro
Address: “Cooringoora”, Bingara NSW 2404
Ph: 02 67236666
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