South African Meat Merinos (SAMMs) originally known as the German Mutton Merino, the first ten ewes and a ram were imported to South Africa from Germany in 1932 by the Department of Agriculture for a breeding program. Through selection for a better wool quality and conformation, the uniqueness of the South African breed was recognised in 1971 when the breed name was changed to the SA Mutton Merino . Approximately 60 percent of South African sheep are Merino, which produce high yields of fine wool.

The SAMM is a dual purpose meat-wool sheep (60:40 mutton to wool), originally bred for its high adaptability to all farming regions in South Africa. The breed was developed to produce a slaughter lamb at an early age as well as a good quality wool. Lambing percentages in excess of 150% are common and the ewes have ample milk to raise the healthy well-grown lambs. The SAMM is a polled breed with the rams having mature masses of 100-110 kg (~220-245 lbs) and the ewes having mature masses of 70-80 kg (~155-175 lbs). Well cared for sheep in show condition will exceed these weights considerably.

Advantages

+ Adaptability and hardiness -exceptional in dry conditions, non-selective grazers.
+ Excellent dual purpose breed - early maturing, 60:40 meat to wool sheep.
+ Highly fertile, good mothering qualities.
+ Non-seasonal breeders
Typical SAMM production figures
+ Lambing percentages of 150% and higher are common
+ Non seasonal breeder lambing every 8 months
+ Ability of rearing multiple births
+ Gross feed conversion ratio 3.91:1 (in finishing lambs)
+ Excellent temperament and ideal for feed-lot practices
+ Ewes yielded up to 4.8 litres of milk per day
+ Lamb weight gains more than 350 g/day in extensive conditions, producing lean, heavy, prime grade carcases
+ Average wool micron of 21-23 free of kemp and coloured fibres
+ Average ewes produces 3.4 to 4.5kgs wool
+ Average ram produces 4.5 to 6kgs wool
+ Exceptional in dry conditions needing minimum supplementary feeding even in drought
+ Known for its will to live and strong constitution
+ Non selective grazer utilizing low quality roughage
+ Polled sheep although the ram occasionally may have a scur horn
+ No mulesing required

No Mulesing Required

Strong Healthy Lambs

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