Gromark sheep are a large-framed, plain bodied dual-purpose (

meat Meat is animal flesh that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted, farmed, and scavenged animals for meat since prehistoric times. The establishment of settlements in the Neolithic Revolution allowed the domestication of animals such as chic ...

and

wool Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have properties similar to animal wool. As ...

) breed of

sheep Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus ''Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticated s ...

that were under development in 1965 by Arthur C. Godlee at "Marengo", Tamworth, New South Wales. They were selected for a high growth rate, fertility, wool quality and carcase attributes.

Characteristics

The Gromark is a prime sheep fixed at approximately 69 percent

Corriedale The Corriedale is a New Zealand breed of sheep. It was bred from about 1882 in the South Island by James Little, who cross-bred Merino and Lincoln Longwool sheep. The breed was officially recognised in 1911. It has been exported to Australi ...

and 50 percent Border Leicester genetics. It is polled (does not have horns), has a white open face, clean legs. The long white

fleece weighs 4-7 kilos, is about 130 mm long and averages about 30

microns The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...

Preparation of Australian Wool Clips, Code of Practice 2010-2012, Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010 in fibre diameter.''Sheep breed compendium'', Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010 Rams average 100 kg, ewes are approximately 75-80 kg (175lb). The rams are typically used as terminal sires for first-cross fat lamb production, but the ewes do produce large lean lambs. The Gromark breed is hardy with a low incidence of fly strike and

dystocia Obstructed labour, also known as labour dystocia, is the baby not exiting the pelvis because it is physically block during childbirth although the uterus contracts normally. Complications for the baby include not getting enough oxygen which may ...

. Since 1965 Gromark sheep have been selected by objective measurement for good growth, without excessive fat. The results are being used to provide breed-specific parameters to improve the accuracy of Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) produced by Australia's national performance testing scheme for meat sheep. In 1979 the Australian Gromark Breed Society was formed and is committed to performance recording of the breed. This breed is mostly found in the high rainfall areas of south-east Australia, in New South Wales and Victoria. The Rare Breeds Trust of Australia has classified the breed as "recommended for investigation" into its stability as a breeding population.

References

{{Sheep breeds of Australia and New Zealand Sheep breeds originating in Australia Sheep breeds