P/GK Genetic Insights

Balanced. Measured. Proven.

Pooginook • Purpose • Precision • Progress •

Pooginook • Purpose • Precision • Progress •

Genetic progress doesn’t happen by chance — it’s built on clarity of direction, consistency in selection, and a breeding program with genuine purpose. Since 2023, our five-year strategy has focused on lifting performance across carcass, fertility, resilience, and wool, without compromise. Every ram is backed by DNA, five-star data quality, and a proven direction — giving you the confidence to breed for profit, without sacrificing what matters.

Our Breeding Philosophy.

Measured breeding. Strategic gains. Robust rams. Resilient performance.

At Pooginook, genetic progress is never left to chance. Every ram we breed reflects a clear, long-term commitment to resilience, profitability, and real-world station performance.

In 2023, we formalised a five-year breeding plan, setting clear targets for growth, fertility, wool quality, and resilience. These targets guide every selection decision we make, ensuring genetic gains are balanced, sustainable, and commercially relevant.

To maintain the highest level of accuracy and accountability, Pooginook works closely with Australia’s leading independent sheep consultancy business, neXtgen Agri. Their external oversight strengthens our programme, ensuring that every step forward is measured, audited, and aligned to future station demands.

Success at Pooginook isn’t about chasing single-trait fads. It's about breeding balanced, efficient sheep — sheep that thrive in challenging environments, lift productivity, and deliver profitability across their working life.

Each pillar of our breeding focus — Carcase and Growth, Wool Quality and Longevity, Fertility and Reproduction, and Resilience and Efficiency — plays a role in delivering this vision. Explore each area below to see how Pooginook genetics deliver measurable, real-world results.

The Framework Behind Our Rams.

Four strategic pillars. Trait-based decision-making. Proven gain.

1. Carcase & Growth

Targeted traits: Growth, muscle, fat.

  • Our selection targets commercially critical traits — earlier growth, balanced mature size, and more saleable meat.
    Every decision is guided by performance under pressure, not showring shape or extremes.

    Trait overview:

    • Weaning Weight (WWT)

    • Post Weaning Weight (PWT)

    • Adult Weight (AWT)

    • Fat Depth (YFAT)

    • Eye Muscle Depth (YEMD)

    🔸 2030 Target:

    Lift muscling and fat cover into the top 25%, increase early growth rates, and maintain moderate adult weights suited to commercial conditions.

2. Wool Quality and Longevity

Targeted traits: fleece weight, fibre diameter, staple strength.

  • Wool is a major driver of value at Pooginook — but only when it holds up over time.
    This pillar focuses on fleece weight, quality, and structure — aiming for high-value wool with long-term viability in the paddock, not just on paper.

    Trait overview:

    • Yearling Clean Fleece Weight (YCFW): Fleece yield under paddock pressure

    • Yearling Fibre Diameter (YFD): Soft-handling, fine wool below industry average

    • Yearling Staple Length (YSL): Good length for processing and strength

    • Staple Strength (YSS): Reduces fleece break, boosts returns

    • Fleece Rot (LFROT): Healthier wool, less management

    • Wool Colour (LCOL): Cleaner fibre for higher market acceptance

    🔸 Our 2030 Target

    Increase fleece weight above +17, maintain fibre diameter below -1.7, and improve staple strength and colour for greater wool value and longevity in commercial flocks.

3. Fertility and Reproduction

Targeted traits: lamb survival, mothering ability, weaning rate.

  • This pillar focuses on producing ewes that rear more lambs with less input.
    By selecting for maternal behaviour, rearing ability and early fertility, we build flocks that perform without the need for constant intervention.

    Trait overview:

    • Number of Lambs Weaned (NLW): Reflects lambs born, raised, and weaned

    • Ewe Rearing Ability (ERA): Measures how well ewes raise twins

    • Number of Lambs Born (NLB): Raw reproduction capacity

    • Weaning Rate (WR): Lambs weaned per ewe joined

    • Early Reproduction Age (ERA): Ewes that join and lamb earlier

    🔸 Our 2030 Target

    Lift weaning rate above 135%, improve twin rearing ability, and reduce reliance on assisted lambing through stronger maternal traits.

4. Resilience and Efficiency

Targeted traits: worm resistance, dag score, condition, breech cover.

  • This pillar targets the traits that reduce time on the drafting race.
    By selecting for worm resistance, breech traits, and condition score, we’re building sheep that thrive with less intervention — and hold their condition under pressure.

    Trait overview:

    • Worm Egg Count (WEC/YWEC): Resistance to internal parasites

    • Dag Score (LDAG): Lower dag load means less crutching, fewer fly issues

    • Breech Wrinkle (EBWR): Less wrinkle = better flystrike defence

    • Breech Cover (EBCOV): Naturally better breech protection

    • Condition Score (CS): Maintains body condition through stress

    🔸 Our 2030 Target

    Reduce worm burden by 25%, lower dag and breech traits, and improve condition score to build low-input, high-survival sheep for commercial systems.

What comes next?

Everything on this page is here to help you make clearer, more confident breeding decisions. The four pillars above break down the key traits that underpin our breeding programme — what they mean, why they matter, and how they’re tracking toward our 2030 goals.

We know this kind of information can be a lot to take in. That’s why we’ve created a simple process to help you apply it. If you need extra support understanding the data or knowing where to start, PGK Plus is there as a practical guide — or you can simply reach out to our team.

How to Use This Page?

✔ Choose the area that matters most
 Carcase, wool, fertility or resilience — start where it counts.

✔ Explore the trait breakdown
Each trait is explained clearly, with real-world outcomes and 2030 targets.

✔ Use our data to compare your own
See how our benchmarks align with your current priorities.

✔ Reach out if you need help
We’ve built PGK Plus to guide you through it — or just have a chat with our team

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