WA rangelands dividing between Merinos and exotics

摘要

A decade of low wool prices, a consistent rise in production costs, coupled with two to three years of drought, has slashed Merino numbers in Western Australia's pastoral sheep regions. Taking the place of Merinos on many properties are fat tailed sheepmeat breeds, in particular Damaras. These are now an integral part of WA's pastoral industry, despite fierce opposition from some wool growers. In some parts of WA, especially along the west coast, Damara have gained popularity and numbers have steadily increased. This has left the Merino a minority in those areas, while in the Murchison and Eastern Goldfields Merino wool production is still as important as ever.