Resilience, versatility and flexibility the key at Aloeburn
Resilient, adaptable modern Merinos bred to thrive and perform in a diverse range of environments.
These are the cornerstone breeding objectives of Aloeburn Poll Merinos, Boree Creek, and what buyers can expect to be presented with at the Riverina stud’s 2024 Ram Sale.
Owned by Andrew, Jodie and Tom
75 Merino Rams are set to offered in the sale facilitated by
Speaking to Quality ahead of their upcoming sale, Stud Principal Jodie Green said Aloeburn prides itself on resilience, versatility and flexibility in their flock, while staying true to the sheep selection principles adopted by Andrew’s late father Roger to breed wools suitable for all conditions.
“Roger started working with Dr Jim Watts in the late‑1980s, and the research of Dr Watts and other scientists based their sheep selection on the principle that well aligned fibre grown from loose, supple skin would produce wool that would not only withstand a harsh, dry climate, but those same traits ensure those sheep grow wool that will also stand up in high rainfall areas,” Jodie said.
“Selecting sheep based on these principles allowed us to seamlessly cease both mulesing and jetting at Aloeburn in 2006”.
Jodie said Aloeburn bred sheep that “build flexibility and resilience into our business’’, generating year‑round cashflow and mitigating the uncertainty of the markets.
“We breed the sheep we do because they give usoptions ‑ they ’re very versatile’’.
“Wool, lamb, surplus sheep sales…we want all of these products available to our business so no matter what the markets are doing, up or down, we have products available to sell into all markets.
“Wether lambs produce a valuable fleece and a carcass that is early maturing, able to be finished at 8 to 10 months of age.
“Allowing them to be weaned early and then turned off gives the opportunity for longer ewe recovery and the ability to conserve resources for the breeding ewe flock.
“Our ewes are great mothers, they raise lots of lambs and they have traits that mean they achieve optimal welfare expectations such as no mulesing and optimizing lamb survival.
“Not only do they not need to be mulesed, they also don’t need to be jetted. We have zero body strike in classed in adult ewes.
“Our ewes can produce highly marketable wool and lots of lambs that are industry leaders in all the traits that apply to truly modern merinos; reproduction, fibre, growth, carcass and welfare”.
What sets Aloeburn apart as a genuine point of difference is their meticulous, comprehensive approach to data collection and accuracy, identifying strengths and weaknesses and providing the family with as much information as possible to improve their flock.
Aloeburn is one of the few Poll Merino studs in Australia collecting data from birth, with the conclusion of 2024 lambing bringing the number of lambs tagged over a 10‑year period to more than 9,600.
“We’ve tagged and weighed every stud born lamb at Aloeburn within hours, sometimes minutes, of their birth, since 2015”.
“Exact DOB and BWT means we’re not estimating the performance of our lambs, nor are Sheep
“Assumptions can lead to more favourable outcomes for very big and/or early lambs and extremely unfavorable assessments and outcomes for very small and/or late born lambs.
“Our data is exact, meaning our accuracies are higher and therefore significantly more reliable to allow confidence in their performance to be replicated in our commercial operation and any other well‑managed commercial operation.
“We’ve been DNA testing since 2017 and 50K genomic testing our stud flock since 2019, further enhancing the accuracies of our data”.
Aloeburn genetics are also the backbone of the Green family’s highly successful, 8000‑head commercial flock, run in addition to the stud.
“Like our clients, the commercial flock is the foundation of our
“Our 2023 drop wether lambs were all sold by 11 months, with the earliest sold over the hooks at eight months.
“A total of 4,500 lambs were sold for an average of $179/head and producing a $20.00 fleece in what was a tough season”.
Ahead of their September 25 sale, Jodie identified a number of standout Rams who could “make a fantastic contribution to to any wool growing or lamb producing operation”.
“Lot 59 in the sale, Aloeburn‑230511, is evidence that we are able to offer these all rounder, well balanced, highly productive sheep to the industry.
“Lot 4, Aloeburn‑231408, has got to be highly sought after to bring a dose of exceptional productivity to a great high‑performing operation.
“These rams have the carcass traits to grow and thrive to produce a highly saleable carcass at an early age and their well‑nourished, white, long stapled, free flowing wool on a soft, loose, wrinkle free skin is suited to Australia’s diverse climate and geographical conditions”.