A “next generation” Merino stud, Karbullah Poll Merinos is eagerly preparing for its on-farm ram sale in September with its own “personal touch”.
All are invited to attend their open day on Friday, 6 September and the sale day on Monday, 16 September.
John Kennedy, commercial sheep and cattle operator at Uralla, New England, NSW says: “In terms of doability, ease of shearing, worm tolerance, fertility and big cuts of quality white wool, they have ticked all of the boxes.
“I am always keen to buy Karbullah blood sheep, they have done exceptionally well here.
“They are big, clean bodied sheep cutting a good, long white staple wool that can handle heavy rainfall.
“I’ve noticed their ewes are very fertile and are excellent mothers.
“At the end of the day, the Karbullah bloodline makes a very generous return on invested capital.”
Mark and Vicki Murphy established the dual-purpose Merino stud in 2001, situated 70km north of Goondiwindi.
About 1100 stud and commercial ewes and 300 rams are produced on Karbullah, an 8000 acres Brigalow and Belah property, for their annual sale.
The pair primarily focus on producing Merino with high productivity traits with superior wool and unique carcass characteristics, strong fertility and survival instincts.
A proud yet subtle trait of their Merino flock is that their ewes have not been chemical drenched as a mob since 1992, nor mulesed since 2004.
“Our goal for the past 25 years has been to breed a dual-purpose Merino with attributes that make them productive and money makers whilst being a “green” sheep,” Vicki said.
“We have many other traits which are reaping clients rewards, as well as the actions happening in the paddock.”
Also, the Murphys have sold their sheep meat products to butcher shops for six years, gaining valuable carcass information for the package of dual purpose Merinos.
Once their stud was registered in 2001, Mark and Vicki were exposed to cutting-edge genetics from fellow SRS studs through the guidance of Dr Jim Watts. Since his passing, a group of breeders have continued to combine their values and kindship.
The journey enabled Mark and Vicki to benchmark, push genetic gains and increase accuracy, along with SRS studs and clients to produce the “Next Generation” Merino.
Mr Kennedy, Uralla, concluded: “From the thousands of sheep traded, Karbullah sheep have been the best of them.”
