Prime Samm's
Westray Prime SAMM’s-Meat Merino Genetics with Australian Wool Tradition
Prime SAMM’s are an exciting breed of sheep imported from South Africa to cater for the growing demand for a higher quality, leaner, export and domestic carcass, whilst still producing a merino fibre. Originally developed in Germany and known as the German Mutton Merino. In 1932 the South Africans first imported the genetics and commenced applying selection pressure to improve wool quality and conformation. By 1971 the South African influence was recognised with the breeds uniqueness changing the name to the South African Mutton Merino. The breed name then changed again upon the introduction to Western Australia in 1996 to Prime SAMM (South African Meat Merino). SAMMs are a true dual purpose polled sheep (60:40 meat to wool).
Westray Prime Samm was established in 2001 as Flock No. 51 after purchasing
elite genetics from WA, SA & NSW. We used numerous Embryo Transfer and
Artificial insemination programs to quickly increase our pure Prime SAMM ewe
base and infuse the best genetics we could source.
Some of the advantages of the breed to commercial users are:
1. They are highly fertile, with lambing percentages exceeding 150%
2. Good mothering ability ensures lambing percentages and weaning percentages don’t differ significantly and they rear multples easily
3. Non-seasonal breeders will have 3 lambings every 2 years
4. Feed lotting Conversion ratios of 4:1, weight gain up to 600g a head a day has been achieved
5. Ewes produce 4-5kgs of 20-23 micron merino wool, no contamination issues
6. Maintenance free animal, rarely get flyblown, don’t need mulesing, don’t need crutching etc.
7. Non-selective graziers, extremely robust with a strong constitution, they thrive in hard, drought like conditions
8. High yielding carcass, very lean with outstanding flavour
9. The SAMM has contributed to the development of four other breeds in South Africa, namely the Dormer, Dohne
Merino, Afrino and the Vandor
Prime SAMM’s are an exciting breed of sheep imported from South Africa to cater for the growing demand for a higher quality, leaner, export and domestic carcass, whilst still producing a merino fibre. Originally developed in Germany and known as the German Mutton Merino. In 1932 the South Africans first imported the genetics and commenced applying selection pressure to improve wool quality and conformation. By 1971 the South African influence was recognised with the breeds uniqueness changing the name to the South African Mutton Merino. The breed name then changed again upon the introduction to Western Australia in 1996 to Prime SAMM (South African Meat Merino). SAMMs are a true dual purpose polled sheep (60:40 meat to wool).
Westray Prime Samm was established in 2001 as Flock No. 51 after purchasing
elite genetics from WA, SA & NSW. We used numerous Embryo Transfer and
Artificial insemination programs to quickly increase our pure Prime SAMM ewe
base and infuse the best genetics we could source.
Some of the advantages of the breed to commercial users are:
1. They are highly fertile, with lambing percentages exceeding 150%
2. Good mothering ability ensures lambing percentages and weaning percentages don’t differ significantly and they rear multples easily
3. Non-seasonal breeders will have 3 lambings every 2 years
4. Feed lotting Conversion ratios of 4:1, weight gain up to 600g a head a day has been achieved
5. Ewes produce 4-5kgs of 20-23 micron merino wool, no contamination issues
6. Maintenance free animal, rarely get flyblown, don’t need mulesing, don’t need crutching etc.
7. Non-selective graziers, extremely robust with a strong constitution, they thrive in hard, drought like conditions
8. High yielding carcass, very lean with outstanding flavour
9. The SAMM has contributed to the development of four other breeds in South Africa, namely the Dormer, Dohne
Merino, Afrino and the Vandor
Pictured on the right is a Samm cross carcass weighing 38.2Kg, yielding 50.9% at just seven months of age paddock run.
This drop of lambs were sold Over The Hooks (OTH) at 6.20 Kg with a $23 skin value.
The carcass featured topped the draft making $259 with the load averaging $216.
These results were the culmination of quality genetics, a good season and favourable lamb and skin prices.