Merrignee Merino Stud

Since 1990, the Merrignee Merino
Stud has consolidated the genetic
Merino wool qualities strived for
by our forefathers, Sir Walter
and Bruce Merriman.

Established with a 1/5th share of Merryville Merino Stud, the long-admired traits of stylish, soft handling, alive, bright wools on good body weight sand correct structure while maintaining stable genetics through strict classing, breeding and progeny testing is the essence of the stud’s successful breeding objectives.

Since Merrignee’s inception, the stud has been rigorously focused on the consolidation of the great structure and wool qualities Sir Walter and Bruce established over decades. The stringently considered improvement and increase of fleece weight, body weight and frame size ensures structurally sound sheep while maintaining wool quality and trueness of type for micron, brightness and soft handling. Charlie Merriman, as stud classer, has continued his father Bruce’s framework of strictly classed stud ewes and very selective introduction of outside genetics, ensuring the development of stable genetics with a long-term view.

Informed by previous family generations, CSIRO and other scientific information as well as on-going genetic gains, Merrignee has been able to develop tremendously stable micron control over good fleece weights in Merinos that are productive across various climate conditions. Focusing on line breeding of a sire family’s characteristics, large square frames and hardy constitutions alongside applying pressures to Merrignee’s breeding values allows overall lifts in wool style and weight with true micron averages and good frames, while minimising structural faults.

This breeding focus has continued the Merryville traits which have been much admired over generations, both in the show rings across Australian and by other Merino studs and flock operations across Australia. By upholding and improving on the stud’s historical qualities while continually developing the inherit genetic qualities of the stud, Merrignee provides reliable Merinos. The qualities that characterise a Merrignee Merino are: