SHEARING the flock every six months has long been the goal for many breeders of the soft-rolling-skin long-stapled Merinos.
While some have opted for an eight or nine-month shearing interval, very few have gone for twice yearly clips.
Robert Hooke and his sons Karl and Will have done just that and with surprisingly good results.
The Hookes run the Willera Merino stud and flock at Serpentine, with properties also at Conargo and Wycheproof.
The Willera sheep evolved from the East Loddon stud and flock once run by Robert and his brother Bill, which had been classed according to Dr Jim Watts' SRS program.
In Melbourne last week the first of the Willera half-yearly clips was auctioned in the Landmark sale.
The best line - six bales of 19-micron weaners wool with a yield of 74.7 per cent, staple strength of 37N/kt and a staple length of 72mm - sold for 779c/kg greasy. A similar 13-bale 19.2-micron line sold for 737c/kg greasy. Most of the other 30 fleece lines sold for more than 660c/kg.
The staple length was well over the minimium 60-65mm required for such wools.
The cuts per head ranged from 3.6kg to 4kg, which on last week's rates returned $25-plus per sheep.
Robert, who was more than satisfied with the prices, put the move to a six-month shearing down to his sons Karl and Will, who regard it as part of a total flock management package.
Robert estimated the extra shearing, minus the need for one crutching, at $2.20 per sheep.
It was a cost more than covered by the extra wool returns and a more healthier and productive sheep.
"Certainly to shear every six months you have to keep your sheep well fed," he said.
"But if you want productive sheep, whether it is for wool or lambs marked, you have to keep them fed, " Robert said.
Last week's sale wool was from an October shearing, and according to Robert the shearers have been booked again for April.
Robert said his sons see a strong future in Merinos and wool, but he said the sheep have to be productive.
Currently the Hookes join 10,000 Merinos.
Like many other breeders the Willera flock is tending away from wrinkle to a plain-bodied sheep.
Robert said only about 10 per cent of this year's drop required mulesing.
Breeding for a polled sheep is another goal for the Hookes.
"We are doing that for OH&S reasons," Robert said.
