More about the Merino
‘The origin of the merino is purely speculative’(1,pg 75). Different types of Merinos from Spain were of interest to the English from the 14th century with Merinos imported to England in the 15th century (Negretti strain). Spanish merinos were also imported to Germany (Cabana Paula, one of the finest flocks inspain; Saxony2) in 1765.
It was sheep from this flock that was transported to NSW, Australia and purchased by Captain MacAurthur in 1797 in addition to 4 sheep from ‘a spanish port’ that survived the travel and were imported by Captain Waterhouse in 1792. Though records are sketchy (2, pg 10), prior to this sheep from Bengal (1788) were imported into NSW with MacAurthur crossing the ‘Spanish merinos’, Bengal sheep and an ‘Irish ram’. Fleeces from these crosses were sent to England in 1800 for assessment by Joseph Banks. ‘In 1828 breeding commences in earnest and in the following years with Ramouillett, Saxony and English sheep playing an important part” (1, pg 77). The American Vermont sheep was later widely used (in 1809 spanish sheep were imported from spain).(1)
From this there are four main strains of Merinos in Australia.
Peppin Merino: Was bred in the NSW riverina open plains and was a large bodied sheep. Pioneers Fred and George Peppin introduced Rambouillet (or French merino derived from several Spanish breeds with medium wool) rams in 1859 to produce a larger sheep that could thrive in these climatic conditions1. This type of Merino is the most widespread in Australia, particularly NSW, QLD, WA and northern Victoria.
‘The Peppin Merino of today is prized for its ability to thrive in drier inland regions, where its large frame and long legs make it an efficient forager. Its heavy fleece falls in the mid-range of Merino wool qualities and is protected from the excesses of the environment by a comparatively high content of natural wool grease, which can be seen as a creamy colour in the wool.”
Saxon Merino: From 1835 flocks of merinos were derived from Saxon bloodlines were established in Victoria3. Bred for the higher rainfall country across Tasmania, higher rainfall area of South Australia and cooler regions of Victoria and Tablelands of NSW.
‘The smallest of the Merino types, the Saxon Merino is without peer in the quality of wool produced. Specifically, this wool is extremely bright and white in colour, soft to handle and fine in diameter. These features make this wool prized by the textile industry for the highest quality and most expensive cloths it can produce’
South Australian Merino: While the NSW Peppin merinos were bred for temperate climate of the slopes and plains for the NSW riverina, from 1837 South Australian Merinos were bred to thrive in the arid pastoral conditions found in this state (rainfall less 250mm / year or less, with plants such as saltbush. This South Australian type has a stronger wool and is common in Western Australia and Queensland.
‘The wool from these sheep is at the strongest (i.e. thickest in fibre diameter) end of the range of Merino wool types. It also tends to carry a higher proportion of natural grease, which has been specifically sought by breeders to provide protection to the fibre under the most adverse grazing conditions.’
Spanish Merino: Though relatively few in number, there is a distinct strain of the Australian Merino that is directly descended from Merino sheep of “Spanish” blood imported into the colony. This type is found in mostly in the same climatic regions as the Peppin strain.
‘The modern day superfine/fine wool sheep has been developed by crossing the Spanish Merino with the Saxon. The reason for the cross is to get the extra wool cut and body size as well as a more defined crimp from the Spanish merino and the finer micron and complete body coverage in the wool from the Saxon sheep.’
1 Sheep Part 2: Sheep farming development and sheep breeds in New Zealand, P.G. Stevens. Published by Whitcombe and Tombs Limited, 1961
2 The Australian Wool Industry: H. Munz Published by Angus and Roberston, 1950
3 Of sheep and men, A story of the flocks, the founders and descendants of Victoria’s Western Plains over a period of almost 200 years in Australia’s history., G. Claud Notman Published by Waller and Chester, 1981 ISBN: 0 9593679 0
‘The origin of the merino is purely speculative’(1,pg 75). Different types of Merinos from Spain were of interest to the English from the 14th century with Merinos imported to England in the 15th century (Negretti strain). Spanish merinos were also imported to Germany (Cabana Paula, one of the finest flocks inspain; Saxony2) in 1765.
It was sheep from this flock that was transported to NSW, Australia and purchased by Captain MacAurthur in 1797 in addition to 4 sheep from ‘a spanish port’ that survived the travel and were imported by Captain Waterhouse in 1792. Though records are sketchy (2, pg 10), prior to this sheep from Bengal (1788) were imported into NSW with MacAurthur crossing the ‘Spanish merinos’, Bengal sheep and an ‘Irish ram’. Fleeces from these crosses were sent to England in 1800 for assessment by Joseph Banks. ‘In 1828 breeding commences in earnest and in the following years with Ramouillett, Saxony and English sheep playing an important part” (1, pg 77). The American Vermont sheep was later widely used (in 1809 spanish sheep were imported from spain).(1)
From this there are four main strains of Merinos in Australia.
Peppin Merino: Was bred in the NSW riverina open plains and was a large bodied sheep. Pioneers Fred and George Peppin introduced Rambouillet (or French merino derived from several Spanish breeds with medium wool) rams in 1859 to produce a larger sheep that could thrive in these climatic conditions1. This type of Merino is the most widespread in Australia, particularly NSW, QLD, WA and northern Victoria.
‘The Peppin Merino of today is prized for its ability to thrive in drier inland regions, where its large frame and long legs make it an efficient forager. Its heavy fleece falls in the mid-range of Merino wool qualities and is protected from the excesses of the environment by a comparatively high content of natural wool grease, which can be seen as a creamy colour in the wool.”
Saxon Merino: From 1835 flocks of merinos were derived from Saxon bloodlines were established in Victoria3. Bred for the higher rainfall country across Tasmania, higher rainfall area of South Australia and cooler regions of Victoria and Tablelands of NSW.
‘The smallest of the Merino types, the Saxon Merino is without peer in the quality of wool produced. Specifically, this wool is extremely bright and white in colour, soft to handle and fine in diameter. These features make this wool prized by the textile industry for the highest quality and most expensive cloths it can produce’
South Australian Merino: While the NSW Peppin merinos were bred for temperate climate of the slopes and plains for the NSW riverina, from 1837 South Australian Merinos were bred to thrive in the arid pastoral conditions found in this state (rainfall less 250mm / year or less, with plants such as saltbush. This South Australian type has a stronger wool and is common in Western Australia and Queensland.
‘The wool from these sheep is at the strongest (i.e. thickest in fibre diameter) end of the range of Merino wool types. It also tends to carry a higher proportion of natural grease, which has been specifically sought by breeders to provide protection to the fibre under the most adverse grazing conditions.’
Spanish Merino: Though relatively few in number, there is a distinct strain of the Australian Merino that is directly descended from Merino sheep of “Spanish” blood imported into the colony. This type is found in mostly in the same climatic regions as the Peppin strain.
‘The modern day superfine/fine wool sheep has been developed by crossing the Spanish Merino with the Saxon. The reason for the cross is to get the extra wool cut and body size as well as a more defined crimp from the Spanish merino and the finer micron and complete body coverage in the wool from the Saxon sheep.’
1 Sheep Part 2: Sheep farming development and sheep breeds in New Zealand, P.G. Stevens. Published by Whitcombe and Tombs Limited, 1961
2 The Australian Wool Industry: H. Munz Published by Angus and Roberston, 1950
3 Of sheep and men, A story of the flocks, the founders and descendants of Victoria’s Western Plains over a period of almost 200 years in Australia’s history., G. Claud Notman Published by Waller and Chester, 1981 ISBN: 0 9593679 0