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The stud was established in 1932 at Skipton, in the Western District of Victoria. The aim remains the same: to breed big, productive sheep with high quality fine wool. A small AI programme is undertaken each year to maintain the high quality ewe base. The use of Rockbank(Vic.) superfine rams of Merryville bloodlines has reduced micron to 17.1 in 2006. Over the previous 3 years the average was 18.1 mic. An extremely dry summer in 2006-7 forced a reduction in ewe numbers, but also a good opportunity to cull any ewe who was even slightly off type. Glendonald 8-204 was used in the 2007 AI. He produced an outstanding crop of lambs some years ago, and should be even better suited by the present ewe base. The Merino industry in Australia is but a shadow of its former self. Sheep numbers are greatly reduced, the two main reasons being poor wool prices over a long period of time, and drought. It seems farcical that we are bowing to the wishes of an organisation, PETA, that has a reputation for uninformed radical behaviour. With so much human suffering in this world, surely there are better causes for well doers than this. I have always mulesed my own lambs when they are young and on their mothers, this way they have the comfort of a drink straight afterwards, and minimal upset. There is no excuse for doing them as older weaners. If a lamb suffers a little to ensure its life time well being, isn’t that better than a death from millions of maggots ? We are at present facing a tough future with the added threat of climate change. Sheep are environmentally friendly compared with cropping and use minimal water; rice and cotton are not crops for this country. Little damage was done to our river systems when wool growing was the big player years ago. The public thinks we’re dopey, that we’re only stupid sheep, The only use some find for us is putting them to sleep, But this country grew and prospered, all because of wool… The kids these days would laugh and say, What a load of bull! Granny knits a baby’s vest, a Mongol felts a home… Both use the greatest fibre the world has ever known. It’s used for filmy saris or woolly coats and hats, A trendy fashion statement, or insulating batts. When will the world wake up? We’re a dream for greenie cranks… Totally recyclable, the meat and skin and shanks; Naturally replacing, a renewable resource, And the ultimate in flavour… lamb with fresh mint sauce! Once we really made the grade, our name was up in lights, Fame and fortune, headlines large, we reached the dizzy heights… The scientists cloned a sheep, and had to call her Dolly.. Typical of humankind’s never ending folly. The years roll on, Australia depends on us no more, Our numbers on the decrease, we fear for what’s in store. Dingoes, drought, and China ravage this great industry, And the world’s greatest fibre could soon be history. As the oil begins to trickle and Arabs rule the hour Will air conditioners be switched off to save on precious power? Cotton growers vanish as the rivers run so low, We sheep can save the planet, so give our wool a go! 
AI ewes, 2007, after a tough winter. They had 3 hours full grazing each day and were penned each night in a yard hot wired for dingoes. 
Well mulesed ewes with lambs pictured about 1-2 weeks after mulesing. It can be seen from their 'sappy' condition that they haven't suffered a setback. Show Successes “Queenie” is by RockBank Junior Blue. She was Queensland Ewe of the Year at Roma in May 2003 and went on to be Champion Fine Wool Ewe and Reserve Grand Champion Ewe at the National at Dubbo in August, 2003. Judge George Merriman said she was a lovely ewe, very even all over with hardly a fibre out of place! A twin son of Queenie was sold to Will Roberts, Victoria Downs Merino Stud, Qld in 2006. The fleece off Queenie’s first lamb won the Grand Champion Fleece at Toowoomba in 2007. I took a couple of ewes down for an ET programme at Alfoxton in 2005. Karmala show successes continued in 2008… 
Queenie at Roma in May 2003. 
Queenie at Dubbo in August 2003. 
Supreme Exhibit in 2007 at Toowoomba and Goondiwindi. 
Supreme Exhibit, Toowoomba and Goondiwindi, 2007 
Ram sold to Victoria Downs at Charleville, 2006. Will Roberts tells me he has survived the drought and is looking well. 
The Toowoomba Royal Show was held in School holidays this year and Jaimie and Tiana enjoyed showing their 15.5mic. ewe weaner. photo: Richard Waugh, Q.Country Life. 
Champion Fine Wool Ram and Reserve Champion Ram of the show, State Sheep Show, Roma, 2008. (photo: Richard Waugh, Q.Country Life) Four outstanding Rockbank sires have been used by AI at Karmala. Three of them have won Supreme Exhibit awards at Bendigo, in 2000 (Roberto) and 2001 (PG), and the 2006 winner was also National Champion at Dubbo. The other ram, Rockbank Bruiser, is sire of the 2006 winner. “N.B.” is by RockBank P.G. and was described by George Merriman as a potential impact sire; he has great size and presence with a very stylish wool. Grand Champion Fine Wool Ram at Roma. 
Karmala N.B. 
RockBank Roberto and RockBank PG. Photo by Wayne Jenkins, Dubbo, 2000. 
John Crawford with Rockbank's Australian Supreme Ram, 2006 
Ram lambs by Rockbank rams, 2007 
Ram lambs, 2007 In 2004 Karmala showed Grand Champion Stud Ewe Fleece at the EKKA (Brisbane Royal Exhibition) In 2005 Karmala showed Reserve Champion Stud Ewe Fleece at the EKKA In 2006 Karmala showed Reserve Champion Stud Ewe Fleece at the EKKA In 2007 Karmala showed Grand Champion Stud Ewe fleece at the EKKA 
Queensland Country Life Cover, 3/007 
Supreme exhibit, Toowoomba Royal Show 2005. A Queensland-bred August shorn two tooth ram. 
Supreme Exhibit at Goondiwindi 2006. (photo by John Skinner) 
Cindy makes it a double at Goondiwindi in 2007, photo by John Skinner
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Contact: Jan Lowing <jan@karmala.com.au> |
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