Konsortium-Merino evolved 11 years ago from a unique partnership between four Merino breeders from Victoria West.  An idea, spontaneously kindled around a braai fire, has since sparked one of the Merino industry’s greatest genetic successes.

In 1996 Gawie van Heerden of Dombietersfontein-Merino’s, John Luscombe of Grove-Merino’s, Vetties Esterhuizen of Victoria-Merino’s, and Lukie Erasmus from Brandewynskuil agreed to pool their top stud rams. This was the start of a success story which has already yielded a great deal of South Africa’s silver merit Merino rams, and several gold merit sires. Today Konsortium annually sells the most Merino rams on official sales in the country.

After the death of Lukie Erasmus in 2001, his son Christo, came on board. In 2002 Phil van der Merwe, a legendary sheep and wool expert, retired after 42 years of service with wool broker BKB. He then joined the Konsortium as the fifth breeder.

Under Phil’s guidance, this team of plain-bodied Merino breeders enthusiastically pursue their policy of breeding a large carcass with good quality fine wool. Theoretically their partnership enables them to reach this goal much quicker than any individual breeder. However, there is no scope for complacency. The Konsortium-members get tremendous satisfaction in their quest for continual improvement. “Never believe that when you get to a certain point, you’re there. Don’t ever put a limit to what you want,” they echo. They are enthusiastic about  life and what they are doing and along the way close friendships are cemented.

Flock’s forte

• Over the past few years the average fibre diameter of the Konsortium-flocks’ clips has ranged between 18.5 and 19.5 micron. Hoggets shear 16.1 - 17.2 micron.
• The average clean yield of their fleece lines is 70% and more - and that of rams sold at their sales, as high as 81%.
• They boast lamb percentages of more than 100% in their respective commercial flocks, and as high as 140% in their Merino studs.
• Under normal circumstances slaughter-lambs are weaned at 30kg to 40kg off the veld. In good years they can weigh up to 50kg.

Silver merit rams

Last year Konsortium was awarded 28% (27) of the 98 silver merit certificates issued by Merino SA. They received 23% (25) of the 109 silver merit awards given by Merino SA in 2003. In 2004 another 15 were added to their list, and in 2005 they received 16 more silver awards.

Silver merit status is awarded to rams with outstanding performance regarding measured and visual assessment. The best 20% of all rams in a test group qualify if they meet the following minimum requirements: a selection index % of 100, body weight index of 100, growth index (ADG) of 100, clean fleece index of 90, and a fibre diameter index of 105 and less. The ram's wool quality and conformation must also be above average.

Super sires

Seventeen of Konsortium-Merino's gold merit rams are ranked in the country’s TOP 60. The January 2007 Bayer Sire Rating, based on the results of South Africa's National Progeny Testing Scheme, rate nine Konsortium rams under the TOP 25. Three of these sires: Staal, Windsor, and Bargain have a relative economic breeding value (Rev) of more than R45.

To date, approximately 612 sires have competed for gold merit rankings. The wool and meat production of more than 21 550 of their progeny were tested. The lambs were also visually evaluated for 11 wool and conformation qualities.  The economic breeding value of a gold ram indicates how much more a farmer will earn per lamb (from his progeny) than the average (0) of the 21 554 lambs of the 612 sires already tested.

Countrywide participation

The record shows, rams of the Konsortium-members perform well, not only in the Karoo, but also in veld clubs and progeny tests countrywide. From Vrede and Winburg in the Free State, to Middelburg and Cradock in the Eastern Cape, as far as Fraserburg in the North West, Konsortium has reapt the rewards of this partnership. Every two years the team competes in Merino SA’s national show for measured production. They also support veld Merino shows in their area and further afield to compete with other Merino’s and proudly display their type.

These are five men whose passion and love for Merino breeding has bound them into a dedicated team.  Together they offer today’s Merino farmer so much more.