THE latest in maternal genetic trials and genomic testing will be outlined to stud and commercial producers at the annual Australian White Suffolk Association Conference.
The conference will be held from Sunday at RACV Goldfields Resort in Creswick, Victoria and is expected to draw more than 60 delegates from almost every state and territory.
The event is open to commercial producers, industry stakeholders and members of the public who have registered to attend.
Sheep CRC researcher Professor Dave Pethick will open the morning session on February 12 with the latest news on genomic advancements, followed by Dr Jason Trompf of Agri-Source, speaking on the White Suffolk’s performance in maternal trials.
Sheep Producers Australia chairman and White Suffolk breeder Allan Piggott will cover trends in overseas sheep and lamb markets and industry issues, while delegates will enjoy a dinner that evening featuring guest speaker Nathan Scott.
Guest speakers on day two include Liv Ryan of McCain Ballarat who will give a run down on the local potato industry.
Producers will receive an update on LAMBPLAN and hear the latest trends on the skin market for White Suffolks from Paul Fitzsummons of PKF Sheepskin Valuations.
The conference will end Tuesday evening with a dinner and the AWSA Young Guns quiz night.
AWSA president Peter Button said producers were encouraged to join the Association’s commercial register in anticipation of a White Suffolk lamb brand being rolled out nationally.
He said the conference would include information on the maternal performance of the breed, with many producers electing to retain their first-cross ewes as a self-replacing flock.
In 2017, White Suffolks received higher returns and better clearance rates than in previous years, with many sales averaging from $1000 to $1500 for flock rams.
New records were set for a stud ewe at $5000 and an on-property sale record in New South Wales for a stud ram at $21,000.
This followed a national record price of $68,000 for a White Suffolk stud ram in 2016.
In the commercial market, demand has been strong for ewes joined to White Suffolk sires, with prices hitting $340 on AuctionsPlus in 2017.
Mr Button described Western Australia as a “hot spot” with White Suffolks being the dominant terminal breed in both numbers and prices last year.
“There is a real struggle to get White Suffolk ewes and many have gone from South Australia across to Western Australian studs – they are really going gang busters over there,” Mr Button said.
“The conference will also include a talk on skin values and cover how a producer can make the pelt more valuable through ram selection and grass seed management.
“It will finish with our annual general meeting and an open forum where members can discuss issues within the breed and industry.”
Contact whitesuffolk@gmail.com for conference inquiries.
