Outback<\/a> has always been high-quality, dual-purpose sheep that boost productivity on-farm and lift carcase quality, boosting profitability.<\/p>\nMulti-purpose Merinos are plain-bodied, easy care, non-mulesed, wrinkle-free sheep that deliver quality wool, faster growth rates and high fertility.<\/p>\n
“We focus on the profit drivers for our clients – good quality wool, quick turn off of lambs, and good carcase,” Mr Steele said.<\/p>\n
“With early growth, high fat, high muscle and the exceptional fertility of MPM genetics, the doability of the breed is second to none.<\/p>\n
“These sheep compete with the meat breeds for fertility and carcase traits, while keeping a moderate frame, around 70kg, to maintain maternal efficiency.”<\/p>\n
All rams and ewes are run in large contemporary groups under commercial conditions, so they’re bred to perform under pressure. Any ewe that doesn’t conceive or rear a lamb is classed out, regardless of seasonal conditions.<\/p>\n
“Our scannings are in the high 90s (per cent) for conception and 162-173pc foetuses, so we have 65-72pc carrying twins most years,” Mr Steele said.<\/p>\n
“We’ve also been pushing the genetic gain with our younger animals, joining the ewe lambs at 6.5 months of age, and we’ve been able to use our ram lambs a lot earlier because we’re identifying our top performers through genomics.”<\/p>\n
Every animal is DNA tested, allowing the Steeles to make informed breeding decisions using a combination of objective measurement with genomics and Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), and subjective measurement on structure and wool traits.<\/p>\n
“We’re really happy with the genetic gains we’re making each year, and genomics has improved the predictability of the genetics we’re producing.”<\/p>\n
Outback MPM has clients from Bordertown in South Australia to Blackall in western Queensland.<\/p>\n
“We’re getting a lot of clients from Bathurst and Cootamundra, and Walcha in the New England area, and they’re all after rams that will produce highly profitable sheep,” Mr Steele said.<\/p>\n
“Some of our clients are having good success through Gundagai Lamb with the value-based grid, with upwards of 70pc of their consignments getting the GLQ5 bonus for lamb with higher lean meat yield and higher marbling.<\/p>\n
“We have a lot of customers that want to change direction from a more traditional base, and breed more carcase for the lamb market, but we’ve also had two clients coming from shedding sheep. They liked the fertility with shedders, but missed the wool, and while the market is down, the non-mulesed premiums are doing some heavy lifting for our clients. We’re RWS (Responsible Wool Standard)-accredited and most of our clients are also selling into that market.”<\/p>\n
![\"Outback](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/r0_0_3024_1700_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg\" "\\"Outback")
Outback MPM lamb carcases. Picture supplied<\/p>\n
A growing market for many clients is surplus ewes.<\/p>\n
“Surplus females is a big market for our clients, being ideal for terminal cross lambs, so we’ve continued to focus on maternal attributes like fertility,” Mr Steele said.<\/p>\n
“Our Merino lamb carcase has all the attributes of terminal breed fat lambs, combined with the wool value of the breed. Our rams are suited to clients targeting a range of markets, from prime lambs to premium RWS-accredited wool.”<\/p>\n
On offer in Outback MPM’s sale on Monday, September 15, are 200 rams, with a further 250 private grade rams available following the auction and throughout the year.<\/p>\n
“It’s a good run of really well-balanced rams that will add value to any operation.”<\/p>\n
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![\"Outback](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/r0_0_4297_3110_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg\" "\\"Outback")
Outback MPM stud principal Richie Steele is focused on the profit drivers for clients – good quality wool, quick turn off of lambs, and good carcase. Picture supplied<\/p>\n