KOJAK - HIGH FERTILITY SHEDDING MATERNAL

The BreedersBEST Kojak is a new generation composite Non Shearing Breed developed to meet the future needs of the Australian lamb industry.

BreedersBEST Genetics Kojak ewes this year achieved 155.8% fecundity.

Please visit our BreedersBEST 2021 Winter Newsletter

Early sexual maturity, high fertility, growth and shedding are paramount selection criteria. The importance of all these factors are critical in our Kojak breeding programs. With the infusion of the Finn Gene into the Kojak we are now enjoying a much higher reproductive rate out of their progeny.

Two seasons ago we introduced Ultra white genetics to enhance 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

Bill Piggot from Geraldton introduced Kojaks into his Dorper flock 3 year 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 imrproved first draft turn off rates or 65% compared to 38% from his Dorpers.
Hamish Thorn at Kojonup joins 6,000 Kojak ewes annually for a June lambing. He aims to sell all wether lambs prior to Christmas. Hamish said the Kojak breed was ideal for their operation "They are very fertile and have good growth rates" "We are joining ewe lambs for a six week joining and getting 80% wet while our ram lambs at weaning weigh 40kg at three months of age".

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".

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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 . .

Easily contained with 6/7 line ring lock with NO requirement for a lower barb wire or electric fence.

Increased fertility (averaging 20 - 30% increased lambing percentages over existing non shearing breeds).

Produce a larger carcass - Kojaks grow out to heavy weight lambs without excessive fat coverage.

Kojaks have rapid growth rates - due to their larger frame, Kojak lambs have increased growth rates by a minimum10%.

Better shedding when grading up from Merino or other wool breeds. Second cross Kojaks should not require shearing.

Improved structural confirmation - especially feet.

2% higher carcass yields in comparison trials

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.