Contribution of sheep breed pioneers to industry's development praised

19/7/02
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance has praised the contribution of the Damara breed to the sheep-meat industry's recent development.
The Damara was introduced into Western Australia from South Africa as frozen embryos in 1996 and has been established in the Central and Northern Agricultural areas and Southern Rangelands.
Last year approximately 150,000 Damara-cross sheep were exported from WA at an estimated value of $10million. This compared with only 20,000 in 1999, a growth rate of about 650 per cent in three years.
Hall Damara at Narembeen is a pioneer in the development of the industry in Australia and Mr Chance today visited the property to officially open the fifth national Hall Damara field day.
The field day provides a forum for producers and industry leaders to discuss the growth and future of the breed in WA and new market opportunities being developed.
"Since the breed was introduced into this State, there has been some rapid and exciting growth in the sheep-meat industry," Mr Chance said.
"Prices received for Damaras on the export market, together with the ease of management of pure bred sheep, have been very encouraging for producers.
"The breed is also providing benefits to the State, as Damaras generally return 10 to 20 per cent more than merinos in the live sheep trade."
Mr Chance said Hall Damara had made some significant impacts on the sheep meat industry and their recent securing of Mexican and Uruguay markets was providing additional incentives to grow the industry.
"Because of these pioneering efforts, producers who may be considering - or who have already diversified their business to include Damaras - have reason to look to the future with some confidence," he said.
In South Africa, the Damara is generally a hardy, long-lived animal with low mortality rates, fast growing progeny and high fertility.
Although there is anecdotal evidence in Australia for these characteristics, Mr Chance said local research was needed to establish their performance under WA conditions.
"Another issue requiring further research is the potential risk of contamination due to the presence of medullated/pigmented fibres in the Damara's shedding fleece," he said.
"While the development of the breed is to be encouraged, effective management practices and co-existence strategies also need to be worked out to ensure it does not have any negative impact on other producers."
The Department of Agriculture, together with the Pastoral Lands Board, is working on these guidelines.
Minister's office: 9213 6700