A Brief History of Wool in Australia

The Australian rural landscape is uniquely suited to sheep, with our relatively mild climate extending over vast areas of natural grassland. Wool production is this country's largest and most important form of land use, with some 50,000 woolgrowing properties spread in a continuous crescent from the north of Queensland to the mid-north of Western Australia and including Tasmania and the Islands of Bass Strait.

Individual flocks range from a few hundred to as many as 100,000 or more animals, with some three quarters of all sheep run in flocks of 3,000 or more.

At the end of the 1980's the Australian sheep flock numbered 172 million head. Difficult economic conditions and severe drought caused the sheep flock to fall a low of 98 million head in 2004, although there are now signs that this significant decline has bottomed.

Apart from its size, the outstanding feature of the Australian sheep flock is the overwhelming influence of a single breed - the Australian Merino - which is grazed primarily for its heavy fleeces of fine quality wool. More than 80 percent of all Australian sheep are pure Merino with most of the remainder at least part Merino blood.

Though the Australian Merino derives its name and basic appearance from the famed Royal Flocks of Spain, it is in every way a distinct breed in its own right, developed and adapted in Australia to the specific conditions of this country.

Merino sheep were first brought to Australia from the Cape Colony, and then from a number of other countries where the famed "Spanish sheep" (as the were widely known) had gained prominence by the early years of the nineteenth century - notably England, Saxony (S E Germany), France and America.

Away from their native Spain the Merino changed due to differing climate conditions and selection pressures applied by breeders in the different countries. Thus the sheep from Saxony were noted for the magnificence of their fleece, being extremely fine and white in appearance, while the French had concentrated on carcass development with less attention to wool quality. Such differences are to be seen today in the Australian Merino, which is not a single homogenous breed but a number of "strains" of sheep all of which, regardless of their origins, are uniquely Australian. In the development of the great Australian sheep flocks, Merinos of all types were introduced, and through selection and crossbreeding, and with particular attention to the impact of the environment on both animal and fleece, the Australian Merinos that we now know were developed.

The four basic strains are: Peppin, Saxon, South Australian, Spanish

Peppin

So important is this strain that sheep men throughout Australia often classify their sheep as being either Peppin, or non-Peppin. The "Waganella" sheep stud was established by the Peppin brothers near Deniliquin, in the Riverina, in 1861. Though it is not possible to say exactly what path they followed in developing the Merino strain that now bears their name, it seems clear that Merinos of both Spanish and French origin were introduced. The influence of single French "Rambouillet" ram, called Emperor, is now widely acknowledged as one of the most important events in the development of the Peppin stud, and makes this ram the outstanding sire in the history of the nation's wool history.

As many as 70 percent of today's Australian Merinos are said to be directly descended from the Peppin-developed sheep.

The Peppin Merino of today is prized for its ability to thrive in drier inland regions, where its large frame and long legs make it an efficient forager. Its heavy fleece falls in the mid-range of Merino wool qualities and is protected from the excesses of the environment by a comparatively high content of natural wool grease, which can be seen as a creamy colour in the wool.

The Peppin Merino is particularly prevalent in the sheep flocks of Queensland, on the slopes and plains of NSW, through the north of Victoria and the mixed farming areas of South Australia and Western Australia.

So adaptable is the strain, however, that it can also be found in significant numbers in the higher rainfall areas of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW.

The Merino sheep introduced into Australia soon after settlement were able to produce fleeces of 1 - 2 kg. each year. By way of contrast, a Peppin Merino stud ram of today may produce up to 20 kg. or more of wool, and it is not unusual for commercial animals of this breed to produce up to 10 kg. of wool each year.

Saxon Merinos

Saxon Merino sheep are found exclusively in the higher rainfall country of southern Australia, especially in the highlands of Tasmania, the cooler and wetter regions of Victoria and tablelands of New South Wales. Just as these climactic and pastoral conditions contrast with those where the South Australian Merino is found, so too in almost every respect do the sheep.

Physically the smallest of the Merino types, cutting the lowest weight in wool (4-5kg.), the Saxon Merino is without peer in the quality of wool produced. Specifically, this wool is extremely bright and white in colour, soft to handle and fine (i.e. narrow) in diameter. These features make this wool prized by the textile industry for the highest quality and most expensive cloths it can produce.

Superfine Saxon Merino wool normally commands distinct price premium in the market.

South Australian Merino

While the Peppin sheep were developed for the temperate climate of the slopes and plains and particularly for the Riverina, South Australian Merinos were specifically bred to thrive and provide an economic return from wool in the arid pastoral conditions found in much of that State.

Rainfall in these districts is mostly in the vicinity of 250mm per year or less, and plants such as the saltbush (Attriplex spp.) make up a large part of the natural vegetation.

The South Australian is physically the largest of the strains of Merino sheep in this country. They are generally longer, taller and heavier of body than the Peppin types, and tend to have less loose skin, in the form of skin wrinkles, than other strains.

The wool from these sheep is at the coarsest (i.e. thickest in fibre diameter) end of the range of Merino wool types. It also tends to carry a higher proportion of natural grease, which has been specifically sought by breeders to provide protection to the fibre under the most adverse grazing conditions.

Apart from South Australia, this strain of Merino is found in significant numbers in the pastoral regions of Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

Spanish Merino

Though relatively few in number there is a distinct strain of the Australian Merino which is directly descended from Merino sheep of "Spanish" blood imported into the colony.

After the drier inland had been opened up and the Spanish blood sheep moved away from the coast, significant advances in body size and wool weights were achieved. Today, these sheep achieve body weights and fleece weights of the same magnitude as the Peppin strain, and are mostly found in the same climactic zones.

The "Border/Merino" Crossbred

In terms of sheer weight of numbers, the second most populous breed of sheep in this country comprises the ewe progeny from Border Leicester rams mated to Merino ewes.

The "Border/Merino" ewes produced in this way offer the greatest overall performance when breeding meat type sheep, with well proportioned carcass, high fertility, robust constitution and good milk production (important in promoting rapid growth in their lambs).

Another feature of the "Border/Merino" is its fleece of fine crossbred wool which, although not as heavy or valuable as for pure Merino, is still an important contributor to overall financial returns from these sheep.

To Produce prime quality table meats "Border/Merino" ewes are mated to "Downs" breed rams (e.g. Poll Dorset or Southdown), the lambs from this mating being ideal in carcass shape and having the ability to grow to market weights very rapidly.

Of the lambs slaughtered for meat in Australia, the vast majority of these would have been bred in the above manner.

Other breeds

A number of breeds have been developed and "fixed" genetically by breeders in Australia and New Zealand. Foremost of these are the Corriedale and Polwarth, though the Perendale, Turidale and Drysdale are also important - especially in New Zealand where they were first produced.

Corriedale

This is the main "dual purpose" breed, capable of producing a second fleece of "Comeback" wool (i.e. coarser than, but coming back towards, the merino style) and at the same time having the ability to produce an acceptable meat sheep carcass.

This breed was produced by crossing the Lincoln and Merino and then carefully selecting the progeny to fix a desirable type. The Corriedale was developed simultaneously in New Zealand and Australia and is now one of the world's most successful dual purpose breeds. It is found in significant numbers in Australia and New Zealand as well as South America, the USA, South Africa, India and parts of Asia.

In Australia it is mainly raised in the higher rainfall areas where it is more tolerant of prolonged periods of wet weather than the Merino.

In external appearance the Corriedale is a large framed, hornless sheep, with dark pigmented skin on nostrils and lips and a heavy fleece of long stapled, bulky wool.

Polwarth

This breed was developed in Victoria by starting with a Lincoln/Merino first cross, and then crossing back the Merino again. As such the Polwarth is three quarters Merino and displays many of the same visual characteristics. It does not have horns.

This breed also is sought for its ability to thrive in areas considered too wet for the Merino, and produces a long stapled fleece of approximately the same fibre diameter as the strongest wooled Merinos.

British breeds

There are a larger number of breeds which came to this country from England and are used primarily in the production of sheep meats. These can be categorised into the "longwool" types (such as the Border Leicester) and the "Downs" or "shortwool" breeds such as the Southdown and Dorset Horn. The commercially important among these breeds are discussed below.

It is worth noting, however, that some of the breeds that have little commercial significance today have contributed greatly to the development of Australia's sheep industry.

In particular, the English Leicester and Lincoln were prominent in early flocks and played an important role in the overall development of Australian sheep and wool.

Border Leicester

This breed had its origins in the Border regions between England and Scotland and first came to Australia in the 1870s. Their principal use is to cross with the Merino ewes for production of Border Leicester/Merino ewes which in turn are mated to Downs breed rams to produce prime lambs.

Romney

Through this is the premiere breed in New Zealand, and is the cornerstone of their prime lamb industry, the Romney is little seen in this country.

Poll Dorset

This breed was developed in Australia by breeders who sought to retain the desirable characteristics of the Dorset Horn, but wished to eliminate that breed's horns, which presented significant management and husbandry problems.

Southdown

Perhaps the smallest of our sheep breeds, the Southdown has an important role in the production of prime quality sheep meats. When mated to Border/Merino ewes the resultant lambs have the ability to very quickly reach a marketable weight. They are especially prized by breeders seeking to market their lambs in the early 'spring lamb' market, as this often provides a premium price.

Dorset Horn

These sheep are characterised by their very square, chunky appearance and long body, and especially by their massive horns, on both rams and ewes. They are important commercially for their ability to pass to their progeny their superior carcass composition and their ability to grow very rapidly.

Other Breeds

A number of other breeds are found in Australia, but are of little commercial importance. These breeds include:
Longwools: Lincoln, Cheviot, English Leicester, Tukidale, Drysdale
Shortwools: Shropshire, Suffolk, South Suffolk, Ryeland, Hampshire Down, Wiltshire Horn

During the 1980's and 1990's other breeds such as Awassi, Damara, Karakul and Dorper have been introduced, largely in Western Australia. These are primarily meat producing sheep and some growers have chosen to import rams to cross with their merino ewes to build up numbers of sheep for sale into the export as well as the domestic market. The issue that has raised concern here and overseas is the demonstrated reality that these practices can cause substantial contamination of the wool from the merino ewe mothers.

The Industry Today

• Australia is the world's largest producer of wool, producing 28% of total greasy wool production in 2002/2003.
• In 2002/2003 there were 117.5 million sheep shorn in Australia producing 499 million kg of greasy wool.
• Due to the drought, and high sheep and lamb prices, it is expected that the amount of wool produced in 2003/2004 will fall by 9.8% to 450 million kg of greasy wool from 102.2 million sheep shorn.
• The Australian flock was composed of 85.1% Merino, 10.4% crossbred, 4.5% other breeds at 30 June 2002.
• The wheat-sheep zone of Australia contains around 55% of the Australian sheep flock, the high rainfall zone contains around 33% and the pastoral zone ontains around 12%.
• More than 75% of the total wool produced in Australia is produced by just 40% of wool producing farms.
• There has been a significant change in the fibre diameter (micron) profile of the Australian clip. In 1993/1994, only 8.8% of the wool clip was finer than 19 micron. Ten years later, 30% of the clip is now classified as fine wool.
• Australia exports wool to 55 countries. China is the biggest purchaser of Australian wool, with exports to China valued at $1.3 billion in 2002/2003.
• In 2002/2003 wool accounted for 2.4% of Australia's total exports, 4.1% of its primary industry (agriculture/mining) exports, and 13.1% of its agricultural exports, ranking third behind beef and wheat. Wool exports were valued at AUD3.3 billion.
• In 2002/2003 Australian wool accounted for 48.5% of the global total used in wool apparel. Wool accounts for 2.36% of total world fibre use and about 3.5% of apparel fibre.