Lamb
1 July, 2026
Rowensville Merino stud
ROWENSVILLE Merinos are run on improved pasture in Victoria’s high rainfall southwest coastal region.
There, conditions range from very cold, windy, wet winters (sometimes very harsh) to exceptionally good springs and dry summers – with consistent autumn conditions.
Doing ability under these variable seasonal conditions is number one priority in the selection criteria at Rowensville.
Wool is selected for very white, free growing, elite style, which is very soft to handle and an evenness throughout the flock.
The quality wool has a very positive micron; the 2025/26 breeding flock averaged 13.7 micron.
In comparison, the original ewes purchased in 1976 averaged 19.4 micron.
The family has won the coveted Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum fleece competition for the world’s finest and best fleece nine times, and holds the present world record for a winning fleece at 9.4 microns.
The finest bale sold at auction this season was 12.3 micron by Rowensville.
A number of finer bales produced by Rowensville were sold by contract and private treaty.
The stud does not restrict the sale of top genetics; semen from leading sires in the 11, 12 and 13-micron ranges are available.
Sale rams are available from November.
Apart from the occasional introduction of a stud ram, Rowensville is a closed flock, breeding from seven compatible breeding lines.
The flock was last mulesed in 1979; selection for the correct skin type and bright white fly resistant wool has resulted in fly strike being almost non-existent.
Breeding continues to maintain a true bred ultrafine merino (still improving).