South African Meat Merino ( SAMM )

The South African Meat Merino (SAMM) is a remarkable breed of sheep known for its dual-purpose capabilities, providing both high-quality meat and wool. This breed, originally known as the German Mutton Merino, has a rich history dating back to its introduction to South Africa from Germany in 1932. Over the decades, SAMM has undergone extensive breeding programs to enhance its adaptability, meat quality, and wool production. Today, SAMM is a vital breed in various countries, including Australia, where it continues to make significant contributions to the sheep farming industry. This document provides a comprehensive overview of the SAMM breed, its history, genetic attributes, and detailed characteristics, highlighting why it is a preferred choice for many farmers.

Originally known as the German Mutton Merino, the first 10 ewes and one ram were imported to South Africa from Germany in 1932 for an Agricultural Department breeding program. The goal was to develop a breed that could thrive in the South African environment while producing both quality meat and wool. After decades of selective breeding aimed at improving wool quality and physical conformation, the breed was officially recognized as the South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) in 1971.

The SAMM was initially developed to be a dual-purpose sheep, excelling in both meat and wool production. Its adaptability to the South African environment was a key focus, allowing the breed to thrive under various climatic conditions. The breed was further refined to produce a heavy slaughter lamb at a young age and maintain good wool quality, making it highly valuable for both meat and wool industries.

The SAMM breed was first introduced into Australia in 1996. Initially named the South African Meat Merino upon introduction, Australian breeders voted in 1999 to adopt the name Prime SAMM to distinguish it from other Merino breeds. Extensive trials and breeding programs were conducted to assess the performance of SAMM in Australian conditions. Commercial Merino ewes were randomly allocated to either SAMM rams or commercial Merino rams during the breeding seasons of 1996 and 1997.

The results were significant: lambs sired by SAMM rams were, on average, heavier at birth and had better survival rates to weaning compared to purebred Merino lambs. SAMM-sired lambs also reached slaughter weight faster, showing higher proportions of ram lambs achieving target weights before the onset of the dry Mediterranean summer. Two-tooth ewes sired by SAMM rams were also heavier at maturity, though they produced slightly less wool compared to purebred Merinos. This balance between meat and wool production underscored the dual-purpose nature of SAMM and its adaptability to Australian farming conditions.

Recent studies have delved into the genetic basis of SAMM's prominent characteristics. Whole-genome sequences of SAMM were analyzed alongside those of Australian and Chinese Merinos to identify selection signatures associated with growth, carcass traits, and meat quality. A total of 313 genes in 277 regions were identified, with notable genes including GHR, LCORL, SMO, NCAPG, and DCC, which are involved in growth and carcass traits. This research provides new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying SAMM's exceptional performance and helps guide future breeding programs.

The SAMM breed is characterized by several distinctive physical traits:

1. Mouth: Strong and broad with well-formed strong teeth.
2. Eyes: Large, clear, and lively.
3. Ears: Large, long, broad with medium thickness.
4. Horns: Ideally polled, but horns up to 35 mm are permissible in rams.
5. Hair Covering: Soft, white to creamy hair covering the face and ears, with head wool only extending to the orbital ridge.
6. General Appearance of the Head: Masculine heads for rams, feminine for ewes, with a long, broad, and well-proportioned head fitting to the body.

• Structure: Strong, broad, and well attached to the shoulders.
• Ideal Form: No vertical pleats or horizontal folds, promoting a smooth, plain-bodied appearance.

• Chest: Deep and prominent between the legs, allowing for significant chest capacity.
• Shoulders: Broad, well-fleshed, and round on top, seamlessly integrated with the forequarter.

• Body: Well sprung ribs, wide and deep body for good stomach capacity.
• Back: Straight, strong, and long.
• Loin: Wide and well-fleshed, with a strongly developed eye muscle.

• Structure: Long, wide, deep, and well-fleshed, smoothly transitioning to the middle.
• Rump: Long, wide, and well-rounded.
• Hips and Thurls: Wide apart but not overly prominent, allowing for free and easy movement.
• Buttocks: Well-filled (round) inner and outer thighs with good muscling.
• Tailhead: Slightly lower than the rump, with pin bones widely spaced.

• Structure: Strong legs, set perpendicularly and fairly rectangularly under the body.
• Bone: Moderate length and thickness, balanced with the rest of the body.
• Hooves: Well-formed and preferably free of brown or black coloration.
• Hair Covering: Fine, white to light cream hair on legs.
• Hocks: Strong, not too straight when viewed from the side, ensuring easy mobility.

• Pigment: Desirable light pink skin with light brown eyelids and light amber hooves. All wool fibers should be white to light cream.
• Testicles: Should be normal, equal in size, and firm with a circumference of at least 30 cm.
• Scrotum: Well attached, uniform, and not too pendulous.
• Udder: Well-formed and attached, with two sound, medium-sized teats.

SAMM wool is known for its excellent quality, featuring:

• Fiber Diameter: Rams (19-26 microns), ewes (18-24 microns).
• Quality: Well-defined crimp with minimal variation, soft handling, and white color.
• Length: Ideally at least 75 mm annually.
• Density: Dense but not too tightly packed.
• Staple Tip and Bulkiness: Even tip, good elasticity, and fair-sized staple formation.
• Color and Oil: Fluid oil with an even flow, adequate supply to protect the wool fiber.
• Wool Mass: Desired minimum of 4.5 kg per year for rams, 3 kg per year for ewes.

When judging SAMM sheep, it is important to consider the overall balance of traits. Emphasis should be placed on conformation (60%) and wool quality (40%). Judges should avoid focusing on a single trait and instead evaluate the sheep's comprehensive qualities, recognizing that an excellent sheep with a minor fault should not be immediately culled.

Erindale Farms has cultivated superior genetics through nearly a century of dedicated and strategic breeding. This 4th generation family farm has consistently prioritized quality, innovation, and sustainability. Their meticulous breeding program, incorporating top-tier genetics from RAMCO, LINDON, Romco, and ROSEMERE SAMM studs, ensures optimal trait inheritance and high health standards. SAMM sheep from Erindale Farms are renowned for their adaptability, hardiness, fertility, and excellent mothering qualities. They are efficient grazers and embody ethical farming practices, including no mulesing.

Erindale Farms stands as a testament to the power of tradition and innovation in agriculture. Their comprehensive and sustainable farming practices, combined with their unwavering commitment to excellence, position them as leaders in the SAMM breeding industry. Their success is a reflection of their dedication to producing superior dual-purpose sheep that meet the evolving demands of the industry while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental stewardship.