Proven, Profitable Merinos
Background
The Mirani stud was founded in 1932 by A.S. (Poss) Nivison, and since that time has been classed by Poss, Peter, Hugh & Tim Nivison, and since July 2006 is managed by Hugh and Felicity Nivison.
For over 90 years, Mirani has been breeding proven, profitable merinos that perform under paddock conditions in the New England. Mirani sheep produce a large amount of high-quality wool, while requiring the minimum of care.
A constant during the last 90 years has been innovation and the adoption of the latest technology. From being the first to spread superphosphate by air in the 1950's, pioneering the use of computers in the 1980's, the adoption genetic evaluation in the 1990's and incorporating genomics in the 21st century, the Nivison family has been keen to use every tool available to maximise farm performance.
The focus at Mirani is profitability. By concentrating on selection of animals for economically important traits, Mirani is producing animals that offer significant advantages to both stud and commercial wool producers. Its sheep deliver maximum returns per hectare, with low management costs, thereby generating maximum profit. Mirani genetics offer proven performance, clear future goals and the opportunity to improve your bottom line.
Mirani selects highly productive sheep using both measurements and visual classing. We measure important economic traits like micron, fleece weight, body weight and worm resistance and class for wool style, conformation and constitution. Our successful combination of production and visual traits is demonstrated by Mirani wethers having gross margins 20% above average in trials, while our fleeces win Champion Merino Fleece at the Sydney Royal Show.
All sale rams are presented with full performance data, including their actual test results, Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) for fleece and carcase traits, and a range of industry indexes. Our membership of Merino Select, and participation in Sire Evaluation and the Merino Lifetime Productivity project enables Mirani to compare our performance with all Australian Merino flocks.
Sheep Selection
Rams
Ram lambs are classed visually at weaning, with the best being retained for testing. These rams are then tipped and then fully fleece tested at 12 months of age. The best of these on index and visual assessment are reserved for further evaluation, with the rest available as sale rams.
The top young rams are progeny tested, and all Reserves are again fully fleece tested at 24 months. The top performing ram in our progeny test is entered in the New England Merino Sire Evaluation each year to provide linkages to other years and other sites.
Ewes
All ewes retained for breeding undergo thorough visual and objective selection. After fleece testing at 12 months, preliminary culling on visual faults takes place prior to their first joining at 18 months of age. At 24 months, the ewes are fleece weighed.
From these test results, ASBVs and indexes are generated and the ewes are then allocated to provisional Studs, Flocks, and Culls on a 10%MP + SS + WEC index. The ewes are then classed to ensure they are suitable for their grade. Ewes not raising a lamb from their first joining are not considered for selection.
All stud ewes are classed and fleece weighed each year and culled if they fail to rear a lamb.
Health Status
The Mirani Flock is Accredited Free of Ovine Brucellosis and
Monitored Negative (MN3) from Ovine Johne's Disease (Paratuberculosis).