 MARKED 106.9 PERCENT.JPG)
KOJAK - HIGH FERTILITY SHEDDING MATERNAL
The BreedersBEST Kojak is a composite Non Shearing Breed developed over the last 25 years to meet the future needs of the Australian lamb industry.
BreedersBEST Genetics Kojak ewes this year achieved 155.8% fecundity.
Please visit our BreedersBEST 2023 Winter Newsletter
High fertility, rapid growth, early sexual maturity, and shedding are paramount selection criteria. The importance of all these factors are critical in our Kojak breeding programs. The early infusion of both the Finn(GDF9 fertility gene) and East Friesian has provided a huge lift in reproductive rate, milking ability and subsequent growth rates.
Several seasons ago an infusion of Ultra white genetics enhanced muscle characteristics. Three leading Ultrawhite sires were sourced and utilised in an embryo transfer program over our high fertility Kojak ewes.
- SELECTED FOR MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS
- HIGH FERTILITY (EXPECTED LAMBING 145%)
- LARGER FRAME- FAST MATURING
- RAPID GROWTH RATE, MATING LAMBS FROM 7 MONTHS OF AGE
- EASILY CONTAINED
- IMPROVED CONFORMATION (ESPECIALLY FEET - MANY WITH BLACK HOOFS)
- WORM RESISTANCE - SELECTED FOR LOW FAECAL WORM EGG COUNT (FWEC)
KOJAK CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
- Fred & Jake Martin of Wickepin had a flock of Dorper's until they switched to buying Kojak rams in 2012. "Over the years as the percentage of Kojak influence increased, we have seen a steady increase in fertility despite running the ewes in large mobs of 7 - 800 head". "The frame is much larger, longer bodied and we easily grow them out to heavier weight" Fred quoted "We have found a huge difference in being able to contain the Kojak which is great for a neighbourly relationship". "Ironically the Kojak seems to perform better under suboptimal conditions, whereas our Dorper's used to just pack it in".
- John South, Knack Pty Ltd at Darkan first purchased Kojak rams in 2010. He immediately observed an increase in the lambing percentage and growth rates from their then Dorper flock. John said "the BreedersBEST genetics have provided ongoing improvements to all our flock, with increasing lamb scanning percentages, weaning percentages and growth rates". "As prime lamb producers we consider these genetics will ultimately provide us our goal which is to grow the majority of our lambs to be abattoir ready on seasonal green grass" John said. "In addition, the experiences the Heggaton's have gained from many years of practical work whilst commercially farming a large-scale prime lamb operation, provides us with a great deal of guidance and assistance".
- Bill Piggot from Geraldton introduced Kojaks into his Dorper flock several years ago. The resultant F1 progeny achieved 125% in their first year (compared to 80 - 90% from his pure Dorper ewes). The Kojak rams were also a far better frame size and displayed a much better temperament.
- Owen Rennie from Jerdacuttup switched to Kojaks in 2019. He noticed an immediate increase in carcase size and much improved first draft turn off rates or 65% compared to 38% from his Dorpers.
- Hamish Thorn at Kojonup originally tried Dorpers but made the switch to Kojaks after battling to get 100% lambs marked for several years. Hamish stated "Since switching to the high fertility Kojak we have rapidly increased our lambing percentage". "Our 3,500 mixed age ewes from a five week joining recently scanned at 155% whilst our 380 elite stud mob scanned at 176%". "In addition 1800 ewe lambs achieved 88% conception".
Right: 15 month old Kojak ewes with twin lambs at foot. These ewes will completely shed by summer, and will undergo embryo transfer flushing this season.
WHEN COMPARED TO EXISTING NON SHEARING BREEDS KOJAKS ARE . .
As the majority of progeny are produced via embryo transfer, only elite genetics are used for breeding. For a Kojak ewe to enter the breeding flock she must conceive and rear twin lambs by 13 - 15 months of age.