Hugh Lilburn
HUGH LILBURN
“Lilburns have been farming here since 1880. The first 100 years or so it was almost all about wool, then in the early 1990s all this changed.
It’s been a paradigm shift in thinking about what we want from a sheep.
The other big change has been the weather. Until 10 years ago I can remember only one drought in my lifetime – now we’ve had three in the last 10.
Going with Kelso was the right move given both these outcomes.
The response was immediate. From 85% lambing with Romneys we got to 155% within three years with Kelso and I believe we can achieve 150% consistently in future. We got 140% this year after a very dry autumn.
The difference has been just as big with mothering ability. There is a total behaviour difference – a Kelso will look you in the eye and will stick to their lamb like glue, which I couldn’t always say about the ewes we have had in the past.
Their survivability is higher and all around they’re a more intelligent sheep. It’s almost like comparing a sheep with a goat.
As to performance my dream is to be weaning at between 30 and 35 kg. We’re now at about 27kg – and I think it’s achievable.
After ‘taking the plunge’ to composites fairly early on, I’ve seen most farmers in the district becoming converts. They’re seeing the same benefits as we are”