The production of second-cross prime lambs is the main enterprise for Stephen Bruckner on the family farm, Ruby Park, Collingullie, and it complements a 1500 head Merino ewe flock and 1500ha of winter crop.
And the Riverina-based sheep producer believes his 4000 first-cross ewes are the best dams for his purpose when joined to terminal Poll Dorset rams.
On the 3500ha property purchased by his father Robert in the mid-1960’s, Mr Bruckner breeds his own first-cross ewes, and preferring to source the Merino dams from western Riverna sales at Hay, Hillston or Jerilderie.
The plain-bodied Merino ewes are joined to Border Leicester rams mainly bought from the Gleneith $uperBorder$ stud bred by the Kember family at Ganmain.
“I like the first-cross ewe for their good frame size so we have ease of lambing, their fertility and we get a good sized lamb,” he said.
“I have considered skipping the first-cross ewe and maybe putting a White Suffolk over a Merino which is popular but we are being rewarded well in the yards with what are doing at the moment.”
The ease of lambing is a significant factor for Mr Bruckner when he said he rarely checks his ewes during lambing.
Article from The Land
Stephen Burns
August 31 2022
0428 276 295
“Gleneith Park”, Ganmain, NSW 2702