ABOUT OUR FARM
Athol-Brae Farms is situated at Willaura in Western Victoria, Our soil type and climate is best suited to Broadacre Crop Production comprising of Cereals, Oil-Seeds and Legumes planted in a rotation.
Combined with a self replacing flock of Merino Sheep. Both Wool Producing Sheep and Growing Crops compliment each other in our environment, combined with district best practices, sound agronomic advice and a land management plan help us to achieve our goals of running a sustainable operation.
wool
Athol-Brae Farms runs a commercial Flock of Medium Wool Merino Sheep for Wool Production ranging from 18.5 to 21 Micron. For two generations the flock has been based on Banavie Merino Bloodlines.
In the past 25 years Nick Laurie from Arcadian Wool Brokers has guided Athol-Brae with Ram Selection and Sheep Classing assisting us running a profitable Merino enterprise aiming for productive wool producing sheep with well-nourished stylish white wool. Each year we see an improvement in wool quality and wool cut per head with Nick’s assistance.
The Merino Sheep are run at Willaura in Western Victoria in combination with a cropping operation in a environment that sometimes can be harsh with cold winters and hot summers,with our breeding program our sheep very adaptable to our climate and do well.
The sheep at Athol-Brae are mainly run-on short-term Perennial Rye Grass and Clover Pastures, being a useful tool to sequester organic carbon and nitrogen back into the soil helping the enterprise not to be so reliant on man made fertiliser. In favourable seasons the excess pastures are cut for hay as we have a policy of having adequate nutrition on hand in case of an extended dry period or drought.
All Sheep at Athol-Brae are Crutched mid-season, and One Week prior to Shearing to remove stained wool to assist the shed staff to prepare the Wool Clip to the highest possible standard.
Shearing takes place in February using professional Shearer’s, Wool Handling Staff and a Fully Qualified Wool Classer preparing the Wool for Sale in accordance with The Australian Wool Exchange Code of Practice.
All Sheep at Athol-Brae are run in accordance with current industry guidelines and recommended animal health compliance is practiced.
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