Breeding Philosophy

What SRS Means

& why it matters

Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) is a breakthrough Merino breeding technology designed to produce sheep with loose, wrinkle-free skin. This results in superior wool quality – finer, softer, and more uniform – while improving animal health, fertility, and growth rates.

East Loddon Merino Stud was among the first in Australia to embrace SRS, recognising its potential to create high-performing, ethically bred sheep long before it was industry standard. Today, our commitment to SRS genetics ensures consistent, productive flocks that deliver exceptional wool, enhance animal welfare, and strengthen the reputation of our clients’ breeding enterprises.

Performance

At East Loddon Merino Stud, every breeding decision is informed by a powerful blend of performance and animal welfare priorities. We target fast‑growth, muscle and fat depth, and high reproduction by heavily selecting for ASBVs such as Yearling Weight, Eye Muscle Depth, and Fat – enabling sheep to thrive with fewer inputs and deliver higher weaning percentages.

& welfare-focused breeding

At the same time, our Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) genetics deliver wrinkle‑free livestock that resist flystrike, shear easily, and stay healthier overall, reducing intervention and enhancing productivity across the flock.

Easy-care traits

  • Our wrinkle-free Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) Merinos offer natural resistance to flystrike, improving animal welfare and reducing the need for chemical intervention. This means healthier sheep, lower management costs, and a more ethical, sustainable approach to Merino breeding.

  • We breed for exceptional fertility, selecting genetics proven to deliver high conception and lambing rates. Our focus on reproductive performance means more lambs weaned, stronger flock growth, and greater profitability for our clients season after season.

  • Our SRS Merinos produce soft, lustrous, highly uniform fleece with exceptional handle and style. By combining elite genetics with precise selection, we deliver wool that consistently meets premium market specifications, enhancing both flock reputation and grower returns. This wool has also proven to perform across a wide range of environments, from low to high rainfall areas.

Scientific Approach

and Accreditations

Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs)

We utilise ASBVs to objectively measure and compare genetic potential across traits such as fleece weight, fibre diameter, growth, and reproduction. This data-driven selection ensures our breeding decisions consistently improve performance, profitability, and genetic progress in our flock and clients’ flocks.

Genomic Testing

Through advanced DNA analysis, we identify valuable genetic traits earlier and with greater accuracy. Genomic testing enables faster genetic gain, reduces guesswork, and ensures each sire and ewe contributes meaningfully to wool quality, fertility, and resilience outcomes across the stud.

ZQrx Accreditation

ZQ RX builds on the gold standard of ethical ZQ wool by adding a Regenerative Index, measuring farm-level improvements in soil health, biodiversity, water resilience, carbon balance, and community wellbeing. It inspires continual, meaningful impact – rewarding growers committed to giving more than they take.

RWS

The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) verifies welfare-forward and sustainable wool sourcing. Through third-party audits, it ensures sheep are humanely treated, land is carefully managed, and supply chains are transparent – giving brands and consumers confidence in ethical, traceable wool.