"Productive Maternal Meat Sheep"

 

Maternal Composite History

The 200 Maternal Composite foundation stud ewes were the top 10% of a 2000 ewe commercial flock already being run at Chrome. They were individually selected for type and fertility with the majority of the ewes having twins every year.   They have been sired by high index Coopworth and Coopworth Composite rams. Since the inception of the Maternal Composite flock all replacement ewes have come from within this flock and purpose bred crosses from the Coopworths.  The Maternal Comosite ewe flock continues to expand and in 2011 we joined 570 mixed age ewes and 250 ewe lambs. We have tried to base these sheep around the "Coopworth type" and maintain all the positive attributes of the Coopworth breed.

The Maternal Composite stud was established for a number of reasons including some of the following points:

  • Improved growth rates and Fertility
  • A more favourable breeding cycle suitable for producers who wish to lamb early
  • Tighter skins in both the ewes and sucker lambs
  • Improved milking ability
  • Free benefits of  Hybrid vigour

 

 What's in them?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions put to us at field days etc.  It is important to note that it is hard to get black nosed and hooved british bred ewes to join early.(March, April, May)  Hence the reason for the requirement of some pink nose genes in our Maternal Composite flock.

COOPWORTH - Is the base breed to our Maternal Composite.  They have lots to offer including their hardiness and doing abilty and all the other traits that make them such a good maternal strain.

POLL DORSET and WHITE SUFFOLK -  They add a portion of "pink nose genes into the flock as well as tighten up the wool type and lamb skins.  Other bendfits are added growth and carcass.  Both are very fertile breeds of sheep and we have been lucky to have imported some NZ Poll Dorset semen from an outstanding maternal strain of Poll Dorset.

EAST FREISIAN -The East Freisian (EF) genetics at Chrome have been introduced via rams containing no more than 25% EF blood and have been used through a portion of the flock.  The EF also adds some "pink nose" and aids in milk production and fertility and growth. 

PERENDLE - used more in recent years the Perendale has really added some grunt into the Maternal Composite brew.  Moderate frame score animals with thick bodies.  Super tough and resilient to just about anything, we think that the Perendale will be a vital ingredient in this group in years to come.

It should be noted that whilst there is a diverse range of breeds and genetics in this flock all sheep are bred to a type towards our breeding aims. 

 

1 year old Maternal Composite Stud Ewe Lambs. Scanned 145%

1 year old Maternal Composite Stud Ewe Lambs. Scanned 145%