As the sheep industry and client demands have changed over time, some farmers have embraced genetic evaluation as a way to improve their bottom line.
The Goerling family hav been farming Lukin Springs in Boyup Brook for 45 years.
Two of the biggest changes have been moving from traditional Merino sheep into dual-purpose Poll Merinos and introducing Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) into their flock.
Farmers now have the ability to control the type of sheep they want to breed through ram selection and artificial insemination.
They can breed out the traits of the sheep they don’t want and encourage the traits they do want through ram selection with strong ASBVs.
The Goerlings would not farm any other way now.
Lukin Springs was registered by David and Jane Goerling in the early 1990s at the bottom of the wool prices, and they farmed Merino sheep and Angus cattle.
David Goerling said they knew Poll Merinos were easier to take care of.
“If the rams had horns then it became a management and animal welfare issue,” Paul Goerling said
“We moved into Poll Merinos because of client and industry demand.”
Although Poll Merinos are known for their wool, the Goerlings are looking to breed them as a dual-purpose animal for wool and meat as it is more profitable.
The use of ASBVs is a key component of upcoming Bred Well Fed Well workshops for WA producers, delivered with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture and Food and funded by Meat & Livestock Australia.
