The Mims family have been running a pure bred Merino flock since 1964 with the breed proving time, and time again to be an ideal match for their 12,500 hectares of country on Tucson, 40km south of Winton.
David and Neida Mims are the second generation on property having taken the reins of the operation from Mr Mims parents in 2013. That year they began purchasing rams from Rick and Jenny Keough, Terrick Merino Stud, Blackall, and they've now converted their entire flock to Terrick genetics, which they're happy about.
"Rick and Jenny are invested in the western Qld wool industry, they understand our environment and limiting constraints," Mrs Mims said.
"This includes far more than just the weather, (we have droughts, floods and grass hoppers like everyone does); they also understand and help with managing the flock with wild dogs, lice, poor wool prices, high sheep prices and the effects of the markets and trade on what we do in this small corner of the wool industry," she said.
"A stud with 100 ewes can breed a royal show ram, but it takes a stud principal that can sell genetics that on our commercial scale will create a flock/population to endure and produce in our region.
"We look for a draft of rams each year that will breed a flock of ewes that will live and are available to produce wool and lambs any year that offer the basics of husbandry, feed and water, and then (probably before 10 years) want a cull ewe that is worth something to someone else, thus she has value."
She said Terrick rams clearly show fertility and vigor, and have strong wool attributes.
"The Terrick flock is sufficient enough in size that we can select for whatever we would like to preference as secondary traits. We can look for more open face and horns without compromising our draft and primary selection for wool quality and body soundness."
Mr Mims said the Keoughs also have a hands on approach, try to understand the Mims' system and offer valuable advice in ram selection.
"They know our operation and its faults and help with guidance on rams that will and won't suit our flock."
He said confirmation soundness and wool traits are a priority in ram selection, however sometimes the extent to which they can pursue this is limited by budget.
"We try to put downward pressure on micron and positive pressure on fleece weight.
"We also look for a draft of rams that can be run as a consistent line. When we have one dependable line, when we sell wool or stock we have that consistency that is so important for sales.
"Our environment and constraints limit us from producing the best fleece or the heaviest wether, but we can produce a straight line of 1000 wethers or wool lots at sale of 50 or 60 bales every year."
As of April 2020 the Mims had shorn 10,000 head of sheep from their entirely home bred flock. They're currently looking at options to increase their ewe flock and breeding operation in size."
Mrs Mims said their 18 to 19 micron wool sold in 2019 averaged $2000 per bale, though so far this year that number has dropped to $1650 due the COVID-19 related slide in market values.
"Our aim is to breed Merino sheep primarily for wool, but also want a sheep that is durable and well adapted to our environment," she said.
"If the sheep has longevity then we can achieve a good product in either mutton trade or wool grower for the excess or cull sheep.
"It looks like we may make more money from sheep sales than wool production this year."
Mr Mims said there joining period usually begins on December 1, at which point they join all ewes over 18 months-old at close to one and a half per cent. They lamb from May 1, but that is dependent on shearing.
"May is when there is the best chance for good nutrition. And while the ewes are in their final trimester of pregnancy it's when they're full wool and therefore have the greatest nutritional demand. We can't lamb in the hotter months, so in the northern area of western Queensland that only leaves a small window."
"Despite the best physiological and agronomic observations, if the rams work in December/January; shearing, lamb marking and crutching can all fall during the school holidays!"
Mrs Mims said fundamentally their flock must be economically viable, but that they also have the responsibility of taking care of the natural resources on the property.
"We're converting Mitchell grass into a dollar, but we're only 'caretakers' for a brief time so from our perspective the land must not be scarred by us taking a dollar out."
