Merinos

History

Albertus van As established Kinko Merino Stud in 1964 when he purchased 36 stud ewes from Klein Visrivier Stud and one stud ram from Brighton Stud. During November of the same year 16 more stud ewes were acquired from Renoster Stud and another 24 more ewes from Brighton Stud during February 1965.

Up until 1979, 5 rams from various studs in the Eastern Cape were used, but the ram which had the biggest influence on Kinko at that time was Losplaat, which was acquired from Grootfontein Stud in 1979 for a SA Record Price of R18 000.00.

In the years to follow genetics were used from prominent studs in South Africa and Australia in the hopes of breeding a modern type of merino.

Albertus van As was one of SA’s true merino old-timers. He kept a keen interest in Merino breeding until he sadly passed away on the 3^rd of December 2007. We honour his legacy.

GENETICS

A whole new scientific approach was added to Kinko breeding program during January 2001 with the introduction of BLUP breeding values. This exciting new addition also triggered the demand for the introduction of more profitable genetically Fine Wool Sires into the stud.

“The Merino Plan BLUP” includes a detailed recordkeeping of the family tree, reproduction data that is stored in a national database. This breeding program makes genetically coupling with other competing studs possible and uses predicted breeding values by making use of BLUP analysis. A more detailed BLUP analysis is done twice a year on: Bodyweight, Clean Fleece Weight, Fibre Diametere and Staple length. RFID, an electronic tag system and Bengo Farms, an Australian sheep program for efficient management and raising of production are used.

Being part of the Merino plan ensures Merinos with an optimum fitness under normal production circumstances – thus an animal with characteristics in a market economical balance.

PRODUCTION

Since 1993, an 8-month lambing system has been followed. The ewe lambs 3 times in 2 years. The goal is to produce top quality rams for the commercial flock.

Mating season takes place in February, ewes lamb July; mating of ewes in July, and lamb November; mating of ewes at the end of September, lamb at the beginning of March.

Lambs receive creep fodder from two weeks of age and are weaned 80 to 90 days after lambing, depending on the condition of the veld.

Stud ewes are lapascopically inseminated with fresh or frozen semen whose genetics are selectively selected and semen imports are also done from Australia. We use local genetics from other breeders as well as self-bred genetics for laparoscopic insemination. This procedure in effect helps to accelerate genetic progress. The ewes are scanned for pregnancy 40 days after the laparoscopy to determine which ewes are carrying single or multiple fetuses.

Kinko Merino makes use of a lambing pen system, which is an invaluable tool for growing a flock and increasing revenue. It enables a us to boost weaning percentages and lower lamb mortality rates. The farm currently boasts a 135.5% weaning percentage for the stud.

WOOL

Average micron overall is 19.4 micron.

Kinko Merino’s practices an 8 Month shearing program. This means that the sheep are sheard three times in two years. 8 Month wool cut average per ewe is 6 kg.

Shearing time: January, September and May the following year.

MEAT

Van As Bros Pty Ltd provides the best quality meat to only the best livestock marketers in the Southern and Western Cape.

For the meat market 40% of the Merino flock is bred from pure Merino ewes crossbreed with Dormer rams.

Over the past few decades, the focus of production has moved from mostly farming for wool to now mostly farming for meat.

Average Meat grading:
A 1 – 5%
A 2 – 90%
A 3 – 5%

Lambs are market long-term, extremely sustainably, every month of the year, by weaning lambs early at 2 to 2½ months. Cross bred lambs marketed at age 4 – 5 months.

We fed young animals to get market ready as well as young ewes to be ready for pair at 11 months.

REPRODUCTION

Mating Season	February, June, September
Mating Period	32 days
Lambing	February, July, November
Scan	32 days after mating, 40 days after laparoscopy
Male Ratio	1 : 33
Adult Ewe Mating Mass	± 67kg
Young Ewe Mating Mass	± 48kg
Conception Figure	125.92%
Singles Born	46.49%
Multiples Born	53.51%
Average ewes for Individuals per flock	60 – 70
Average ewes for Twins per flock	25 -30
Weaning percentage	137.4%
Average carcass weight of ewes on veld	72 kg
Average weaning weight of lamb	38-40kg

ACHIEVEMENTES

SA Studbook Small Stock Elite Gold Award 2020
SA Studbook Small Stock Elite Regional Western Cape Platinum Award 2021 SA Studbook Small Stock Elite Double Gold Award 2022
BKB Merino Classic 2022 Great Champion Ram
BKB Merino Classic 2022 Champion Shorn Short Wool Ram Lamb: Middle BKB Merino Classic 2022 Champion 4-tooth Lang Wool Ram
BKB Merino Classic 2022 Champion Shorn Short Wool Ram Lamb