North Island merino prospects good

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 9 May 1989, Page 11

North Island merino prospects good

Fine wool prices are high, future prospects look good, and outstanding financial success has been reported by many producers farming merinos in the North Island.

But caution is needed when diversifying to merinos warns Don Wright, MAFTech Fibre Technologist. "The high prices currently being paid for stock are of particular concern, and may leave some buyers vulnerable to downtums in future livestock prices," he says. "Running merinos requires superior management and the right farming conditions. The occasional failure we have heard of has been related to these two requirements." Don Wright says that

flystrike is an increasing problem in all sheep, but merinos, with their wrinkled skin and dense wool, are especially susceptible because it is difficult to get chemical treatment down to skin level. Merinos are also susceptible to internal parasites and have higher than normal shearing costs. Diversification However, despite these drawbacks, premium wool returns, a wider breeding season and their natural longevity have made merinos a worthwhile

diversification for many North Island producers. MAFTech set up a merino flock, initially at the Wanganui Hill Research Area, in 1985 to test how well the breed adapted to North Island conditions. Along with two further flocks established at Takapau and Levin, MAFTech has been able to test the suitability of stock for North Island conditions. The three sites provide widely varying environments to valuate merinos, from lush flats at Levin, drier flats at Takapau, to the summer dry hills at Wanganui. Merinos at these locations are selected not only for their ability to adapt to North Island conditions, but also for their fibre diameter, fleece weight and wool colour. "As selection proceeds," says Mr Wright, "footrot is becoming less of a problem. The most suitable stock for North Island producers tend to be at the finer end of the fibre diameter scale. "Last year our saies of Flock House Merino

wool, including skirts and bellies; averaged $21/kg clean. This was nearly four times the return from our crossbred wool." As well as supplying Flock house Merinos to producers, MAFTech has purchased merinos from South Island breeders for North Island producers. Breeding programme "About 2000 merino ewes and a large number of rams have been obtained in this way," says Mr Wright. "Semen from our top merinos sires can also be obtained by those who wish to upgrade their flock." A comprehensive consultancy service covering enterprise and financial analysis, technical management and breeding programme development is available for existing merino producers and those thinking of diversifying into merinos. "Merino production in the North Island continues to look bright," says Mr Wright. "Success de-

pends on doing adequate homework, having suitable farming conditions and providing good management." A new and promising opportunity is MAFTech's involvement with a Japanese company in the experimental supply of superfine wool (less than 18 micron) for use in the development of high priced 'cool wool' products. "We will send consignments of superfine wool to the company who will process it and advise us of the most desirable wool characteristics to best manufacture the final product. These would include fineness, colour, brightness and tensile strength. The company will also identify which specific consignments best meet their requirements. "This information over time will enable us to advise the best management system, nutrition, and sheep age to produce the specific wool needed by the company," says Mr Wright. "We are keen to work

with producers to assure the supply of this high quality wool. In particular we would like to hear from farmers who have sheep growing wool of less than 18 microns, and who wish to participate in this unique venture. Premium wool prices will be offered to producers involved in the scheme."

Superfine wool producers wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should contact Don Wright at Flock House Agricultural Centre, Private Bag, Bulls, Phone (06520 49-300, Fax (0652) 49-954, as soon as possible. Reprinted from MAFTech News, May 1989.