The Fonthill Merino
was developed by crossing American-bred Rambouillet Merino rams with a fine-wool
Saxon strain of Merino. The major objective was to increase the genetic potential
of an easy care type sheep to produce wool, meat and lambs.
Since the Fonthill was established in the 1950s it has been subjected to selection methods primarily designed to further increase body weight and fertility without changing the type of wool produced or the yield per head.
Fonthill ewes produce 20-22 micron wool with the amount of wool cur per head similar to that obtained from other Merinos running under similar conditions. Lambing average within a flock is 100 percent.
Reference:
Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Postal Address: Box 4129, GPO Sydney, NSW 2001. Phone: (02) 260-3111 Fax: (02) 267-6620
Photographs:
Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation, Sydney, NSW 2000
