The Prime Samm Society of Australia History

The Prime SAMM breed continues to grow and prosper.

Australian sheep producers have embraced the breed and its dual purpose attributes and ensured it will play a long term role in this country's sheep industry.

The first South African Meat Merinos were imported into Australia in 1996 with the first embryo arriving at the same time.

A national breed society was formed in early 1998 and by 2002 membership of the Prime SAMM Society had grown to 44.

Two years on and the membership had doubled to 88 members and in early 2006 sits at just over one hundred.

The biggest representation of members has come from WA and NSW with 36 and 30 respectively. South Australia has 28 and Victoria four.

More importantly the breed has allowed itself to be scrutinised publicly, competing in trials, carcase competitions and show rings across Australia.

In the recently completed Maternal Sire Central Progeny Test, conducted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Orange, the SAMM has again performed well. This trial saw 91 sires from many maternal breeds tested, with the SAMM dominating the gross margin for the ewe progeny of the sires when compared to dry sheep equivalent basis section.

Probably what has been the most exciting for breeders is that the breed is starting to be acknowledged and recognised in the saleyards. This is probably the highest compliment that can be paid to a sheep breed when buyers are actually picking them out and paying a premium.

The challenge lies ahead for breeders to continue to improve the breed and refine it to suit Australian conditions even more.

There is no doubt the level of growth that has already taken place over 10 years will continue – the key is to ensure the breed continues to evolve and become entrenched in the Australian sheep producer’s operation.