Matthew & Tanya Tonissen
PO Box 95, Hamilton, Vic 3300
Ph (03) 5571 1797
Fax (03) 5571 1142
Mob 0417 149 805

Email:icon.chrome@westvic.com.au

LATEST NEWS Chrome Coopworths are very pleased to announce the purchase of the Clifton Hill Coopworth Stud late last year. We regard the Clifton Hill sheep to be arguably the best pure Coopworth flock in Australia and are thrilled to have it on our own turf.  The Clifton Hill Stud formerly owned by John and Sue Marriot will be married into the existing Coopworth stud at Chrome and future rams will be sold under the Chrome banner after this year. They are one of the founding flocks of the breed in Australia and have tremendous depth of Lambplan data and pedigree records.  Along with the purchase of the stud ewes, Chrome has also purchased the 2009 Drop Rams from Clifton Hill,  most of which  will be sold at the Chrome/Icon ram sale on the 9th of October later this year.  Approximately 8-10 of these will be reserved for the Coopworth National Ram sale at Hamilton on the 12th of November this year.  About 30% of these are in the top 20% of the breed and almost all are above breed average. more... July 2010 Newsletter Christmas Newsletter December 2009 Ram Sale Results 2009 Matthew Tonissen Sheep Classing Services   ARCHIVE NEWS >> Click Here

SEE ALSO... ICON Poll Dorsets

 

LOCATION
The Chrome Coopworth Stud is located 15km South West of Hamilton on Dartmoor – Hamilton Road in 700mm rain fall country. >>Click here to see map

 

HISTORY
A self replacing prime lamb seedstock flock was established by the Tonissen family in 2004. A driving passion to continue breeding stud sheep was realised after being involved in animal breeding at a very young age.

Together with distinguished local sheep classer Sandy MacKirdy they have quickly established a stud flock of very competitive maternal genetics.  

COOPWORTHS
The Chrome Coopworth Stud was founded, with the purchase of 69 ewes from Clifton Hill in 2005.  These ewes together with their 05 drop ewe lambs, have formed the basis of the stud.  Maintaining a flock of pure coopworths is considered essential at this stage so that the traits which have seen the popularity of the breed increase over recent years are not lost to the industry.  Some key attributes are their black feet, hardiness, maternal superiority and doing ability under tough conditions.

Stud ewe lambs carrying 139% lambs at 13 months of age

MATERNAL COMPOSITES
The 200 composite foundation stud ewes are the top 10% of a 2000 ewe commercial flock already being run at Chrome. They were individually selected for type and fertility with the majority of the ewes having twins every year.  They have been sired by high index Coopworth and Coopworth Composite rams.  The composite stud was established for a number of reasons including some of the following points:

• Improved growth rates
• Relatively free breeding cycle suitable for producers who wish to lamb early
• Tighter skins Improved milking ability
• Hybrid vigour

Both the coopworths and the composite ewes are run together so we have a direct comparison between the two.
Stud ewe numbers now total more than 500 mature ewes plus 200 joined ewe lambs which allows us to take a ruthless approach to culling in order to achieve our breeding objectives.

 

BREEDING AIMS

• STRUCTURALLY CORRECT  with good sound feet, legs and pasterns.
• TOUGH and HARDY suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions.
• MAXIMIZE GENETIC GAIN through stringent visual selection aided by recording on Lambplan.
• HIGH FERTILITY ewes able to rear multiples to marketable weights.
• GOOD MOTHERING ABILITY - all ewes are scored  for their mothering ability when the lambs are tagged at birth.
• FOOTROT TOLERANT by using DNA analysis to identify superior sires.
• DAG FREE - sheep are challenged on farm and daggy sheep culled.
• TO BREED A TYPE  every stud ewe is individually assigned to a sire at classing  to maintain a type. 
• WORM RESISTANT  working towards a “no drench” flock at least for ewes over 2 yo using WEC ebvs as well as “challenging”.
• MAXIMUM KILOS of lambs weaned per kilo of ewe mated.
• Maintain a moderate adult FRAME SIZE.

 

 

THE FUTURE
We will continue to use the best genetics available both in Australia and New Zealand, including Coopworths and small infusions of Poll Dorset.

Perendale genetics have also been infused into the stud to help to maintain a moderate adult frame size and body weight. At this stage the results are very promising, as well as the added benefits of their doing ability, well muscled carcasses and hardiness.

Artificial insemination and Embryo Transfer will continue to be used where necessary to accelerate our progress.  We will continue to explore new technology  including DNA analysis for a variety of traits  to ensure a constant supply of cutting edge genetics now and into the future.

 

RAMS AVAILABLE
Second Annual Ram Sale, on property at "Chrome", Dartmoor/Digby Road, Hamilton Saturday 9th of October 2010. Inspection from 10:30am, sale at 1:00pm.
>>Click here for more information

Private selection rams will be available from the 12th of October 2010

 

EVENTS
Hamilton Sheepvention 1st Monday and Tuesday of August each year. We will have a display in the Sheep Marquee site 335.
>> Hamilton Sheepvention Preview 2010

 

PHOTO GALLERY >>Click Here