Primeline Crusader

The Primeline Crusader aims to maintain the key attributes of the Primeline Maternal breeding program but reduce the costs and complexity associated with wool management and harvesting by introducing the shedding gene.

In 2007 a shedding gene was accidently infused into the Primeline Maternal breeding program and up until the last few years, these sheep were culled due to skin value. The shedding sheep in the Primeline Maternal program have now been combined into a single breeding program, and leading shedding composite genetics have been added.

The Primeline Crusader has outstanding feet, worms, and muscle, combined with many of the key traits the made the Primeline Maternal highly successful.

With the use of artificial breeding and genomic technology, we aim to make the Primeline Crusader an extremely high marbling carcase, suitable for high end premium markets.

Sheep need less jobs, which in turn will see a significant improvement in labour efficiency. It’s now common to see many beef cow operations running 1000 cows per labour unit. However, we see very few lamb operations running 4000 ewes per labour unit. Lamb as an enterprise needs to strip out jobs, with the aim of targeting 6000 – 7000 ewes per labour unit over time.

Labour isn’t simply wage costs. It is the increasing inability to find the appropriate skill set in an employee, and most importantly it’s the associated costs of labour such as vehicles, and repairs and maintenance. Shearing, dagging, crutching, minimizing drenching will all assist in greater labour efficiency.

Unfortunately, most innovation in lamb over the past 10-15 years has seen jobs and cost continually increase. We firmly believe lambs next decade is a lower cost, labour efficient breeding model, combined with a refined high growth rate finishing system.

The Primeline Crusader has the same market objective as our Primeline Maternal. Heavily muscled, optimum fat and marbling for our domestic markets, and enough growth and meat yield with the ability to achieve 6% IMF at 30kgs for the Willow Bend Lamb program.

Find out more information about Primeline Crusaders in the articles below:

• BREEDING INSIGHTS: PRIMELINE CRUSADER BACKGROUND
• LABOUR EFFICENT SHEEP SYSTEMS
• HOW TO GET TO SHEDDING: THE BEST STRATEGY
• LABOUR: THE ACHILLES HEAL FOR AGRICULTURE

If you would like to discuss the integration of Primeline Crusader genetics into your flock, please contact Tom Bull at [email protected] or phone 0438 680 585

Rams are available between November and April every year.