23/06/2026
Trait Tuesday: Growth 🐑📈
At Deep Dene, growth starts with data — we record weights regularly so our ASBVs reflect real performance in a real KI production system.
Why does growth matter?
Because today’s market demands heavier store lambs earlier, and that starts with a Merino ewe base that has the frame, structure and capacity to pass growth on to her first‑cross lambs.
A ewe with genuine growth potential gives that lamb the best chance to:
- Hit the spring flush hard
- Reach store weights before pastures shut down.
- Reduce reliance on supplementary feeding.
We’ve always bred Merinos with the frame to hold a heavy carcase, which pays off again in spring mutton sales post‑shearing.
And it means we can confidently use high‑growth, high‑fat, high‑EMD terminal sires and actually capture the value they offer to cross with our culls.
~All while still maxing out CFW, maintaining micron, and producing a highly productive, balanced ewe.~
Growth isn’t just a trait — it’s a whole‑farm advantage.
Picture of our 2025 rams just shy of 12 months of age AVG 55kg. Paddock run, under commercial conditions.
