MJ, TK & JA Tonissen
PO Box 95, Hamilton, Vic 3300
Matthew: Ph (03) 5571 1797
Fax (03) 5571 1142
Mob 0417 149 805
Jon: Mobile: 0429 431 450

Email:icon.chrome@westvic.com.au

LATEST NEWS Awarded 2006 RASV Sheep Producer of the Year and 2006 RASV Young farmer of the Year - see media releases Hamilton Sheepvention Preview 2008 Newsletter August 2008

CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE our NEWSLETTER

 

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

PHOTO GALLERY >>Click Here

HISTORY
A self replacing prime lamb stud flock was established by Matt and Jon Tonissen in 2004.  A driving  passion to continue to breed stud sheep was realised after both being involved in breeding stud sheep from a very young age. 

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


CHROME 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

CHROME 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 ABILIITY - 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, Romneys and Perendales with small infusions of Poll Dorset.  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
Rams will be available for sale by private selection from late October each year with Lambplan figures.

1 Year Old Ram

EVENTS
Hamilton Sheepvention 1st Monday and Tuesday of August each year. We will have a display in the sheep marquee site 194-196.
>> Hamilton Sheepvention Preview 2008

PHOTO GALLERY >>Click Here