Pratts Merino connection spans decades

Trading as Waroona Pastoral Company they now run a self-replacing Merino flock on their 14,000ha property, Ban Ban, 90km south-west of Longreach.

"We're currently running 2700 ewes and purchase 10 to 12 rams annually. We would like to run about 6000 head, though the property will carry 9000," Mr Pratt said.

He said Merinos have withstood the test of time, as a hardy and adaptable dual purpose breed, and that since they established their operation they've achieved most of their goals.

"Our sheep have evolved into a larger, more productive and fertile animal and are lower maintenance than they used to be. We've also gotten our fineness to 19 microns."

While the Pratts haven't sold wool this year due to the market "being in the doldrums", for their last sale they made just over $2000 per bale.

After selling the wool, the Pratts sell six year-old ewes and wethers to the Charleville or Tamworth meatworks.

"They're cash in the bank as we can sell into these markets at anytime we choose."

They join at two and a half to three per cent, depending on the number of watering points in the paddock, in Autumn to lamb in Spring.

"We scan the ewes in their last trimester of pregnancy to identify empties and to split pregnant ewes into early and late lambing groups."

The Pratts have been purchasing rams from Max Wilson, Wilgunya Merinos, Dirranbandi, for 35 years as Mr Pratt said he has "an incredibly good line of sheep".

"Max produces big framed rams with good depth, length and breadth. They have good staple length and 19 micron wool which right where we want it to be. It's a beautiful handling wool with great character and good lustre.

"Every time we open up the fleece on one of his rams it's like opening a present."

Mr Pratt said a big benefit of the Wilgunya rams is that they're bred in area prone to flystrike.

"Max is able to naturally select against that, whereas we can't.

"But the the best thing about Max is that he always shouts the drinks after his sale!"

When buying rams the Pratts look for a combination of length, breadth, and depth, as well as trueness to type, an open face, good stance, a relatively plain body, good staple length, soft handling wool with good lustre and character, a good body condition score, and good feet.

The family normally trade cattle as well, and are also looking to get back into goat production once the price of nannies comes back a bit.

"We have one paddock with a bit of gidgee and boree so it'd be great to have some goats for controlling the regrowth. We also like to diversify as much as possible."

The Pratts believe that its a necessity to run a mixed enterprise that's in synch with the environment.

"In the larger, more remote region of western Queensland, we've found that small animals are a lot more resilient and sustainable over time.

"We bred cattle for 20 years, and in 12 of those years they've had to go on agistment, with sheep we only had to go down that path once in that time."

Mr Pratt said the Merino industry provides a lot for the economy of the region.

"To demonstrate our faith in the industry we are currently rebuilding the Ban Ban shearing shed and yards with the help of builder Craig Kitchener.

"And we wouldn't be able to run any sheep or goats without the recently completed wild dog cluster fence, for which I would like to acknowledge the Longreach Regional Council who administered a scheme permitting landholders to borrow the funds required, to be paid off through their rates over 10 to 20 years."