Testimonial Pat & Margaret Morton
“Originally I was buying rams from a traditional Riverina bloodline. In 2001 I changed my ram source to Pastora. At that time, my one year old ewes were 25.68 micron, with 15.5 per cent of fibres above 30u. Eight years after the introduction of the Pastora rams our one year old ewes are now measuring 17.69u on the rump with less than one per cent of fibres above 30u and fleece weights increased by about half a kilogram.
Our lambing percentage has increased from 85% in 2001 to 115% last year. The sheep are a lot plainer in the body which makes the shearers happier and I guess the link between plain bodies and fertility must be true.
Our wether lambs cut $21 worth of wool at nine months of age this year and the entire drop was sold at ten months for $87.
We have just completed shearing and the improvements in our wool in the past few years make it enjoyable to work in the shearing shed. I doubt that we would still be in merino sheep if we had not made changes eight years ago. Peter’s expertise, advice and rapport with his clients have been beneficial to our operation.
We look forward to continuing the same support with Tim and his team and what further progress it brings.”
Pat & Margaret Morton: (02)6973 9444
Testimonial Steve Aughey, Wongarbon
“In 1995 I decided to start a Self Replacing Merino flock. At about this time I met Peter Westblade and saw his Pastora sheep at a field day put on by John Driscoll at Weethalle.
I wanted Poll Merinos with a big frame and the Pastora type definitely met this criteria.
The flock I started with was a composite of several mobs of 5 yr old ewes with a cut of 5.25 kg and an average micron of 23.5. My goal at this time was to get 6kg of 21u wool.
Since 1995 my flock has gone far beyond my expectations. The wool cut is now 6.5 kg per head and the average micron over the flock is 18.46u. So in 14 years the micron has dropped 5u or 0.357u per year and the wool cut has increased 1.25 kg or 0.09 kg per year. Given that I have been in drought for the last 8 years I am keen to see what the flock will cut in a reasonable season.
I have found the Pastora bloodline to be very fertile and last year achieved a lambing percentage of 110%.
In June 2009 my wether lambs made a top of $114 and an average of $98 for the complete drop. The surplus ewes, pregnancy tested and in lamb sold for $116 at a recent Narromine store sale.
Working off farm wool classing and shearing I haven’t found in my travels a flock I want to swap. The Pastora wool is long, bright and soft. Sheep with these credentials are usually plain bodied and good combing and I therefore have no trouble sourcing shearers. I also have little problem with body strike in the classed ewes.
Having handled horned rams and wethers in the past, I’m pleased to say the Pastora Polls are a lot easier to handle (no more bruising).
As a Ram breeder I think Peter Westblade was outstanding and was able to move Pastora ahead in leaps and bounds. I am pleased to note that this progress is being maintained by his son Tim and I look forward to a continued association with Pastora.
Pastora bloodline is truly Dual Purpose.
Yours Sincerely
Steve Aughey Wongarbon via Dubbo”
Steve Aughey Phone: (02)6886 5250
