Sheep: Zenith

Country of Origin 

 

  Australia 

 

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Australian Status:

LOST

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Uses

 

Wool

 

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Breed traits

From The Braidwood Review and District Advocate (NSW : 1914 - 1954) Tues 2 Nov 1954

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/119388630?searchTerm=zenith%20sheep

"Will Zenith Sheep Be The Greatest in Australia?

FEW GRAZIERS HAVE HEARD OF THEM

A new breed of sheep, called the Zenith, is being hailed as becoming probably Australia's greatest, by breeder, Mr. G. W. Hogg, of Truro, Pleasant Hill, near Henty. Very few breeders have heard of the new type. The Zenith, Australia's latest breed, is based on a Merino-Lincoln strain, with the Merino influence dominating. Mr.Hogg won the award for the champion Zenith ram at the recent Albury Show. It was the first time they have been shown on a competitive basis.

Mr. Hogg's foundation sheepcame from Mr. L. L. Bassett's Trelawney Stud, in Donald, Victoria. He has been purchasing small numbers of the sheep from Mr. Bassett each year since 1950. He is now running 300 pure Zenith on Truro.

Better Woolcutter

Mr. Hogg states that the Zenith is proving the better woolcutter than the Corriedale-Merino cross breed sheep he also has on his property. He said the Zenith was definitely gaining popularity. "I have a waiting list for breeding ewes and the demand for rams is very keen. This demand is growing all the time and the graziers are now booking two years ahead to get them", added Mr. Hogg.

"My experience with the Zenith, though only four years, has led me to believe that they will play a very important part in the Australian sheep industry."

A Big Sheep

The Zeniths are big sheep with good bone, plenty, of length and depth of body, well sprung, and above all, have a strong constitution. As an example of their sale value, wether weaners bred at Truro, have on the last two years easily topped the market at 10 months old. ;Carrying six months wool, they have made the following prices:

February, 1953, £4/10/-;

March, 1954, £5/13/-.

That represents a clear £2 to 46/- above the comparable types sheep being sold at that time. "These weaners were considered by many to be outstanding young wethers", Mr. Hogg said.  The main virtues of the Zenith was that it was an excellent combination of mutton and wool, being a big sheep and carrying a good fleece."

The wool was of "high quality, with 60-64's count.

The Zenith is plainer bodied than the Merino, and polled. It retains some of the Merino characteristics, such as soft white nose, amber feet and soft-handling wool.

Asked to compare the Zenith with British breeds, Mr. Hogg said no comparison could be made, in his opinion, as they were entirely different sheep.

In Other Areas

"There were Zenith stud flocks also at Henty and Culcairn", he said. Questioned about the type of country they did best on, Mr. Hogg replied:, "All I can say, in answer to that, is that they are doing exceptionally well on my property, which is good sheep and wheat country in a 21-inch rainfall belt. The ewes will rear first-class fat lambs when joined to a fat lamb sire, but they are used mainly for the production of good comeback ewes and good woolgrowing wethers."

 

Image from  The Land (Sydney, NSW : 1911 - 1954)  Fri 23 Jul 1954  Page 8   RECORD ALBURY SHEEP SHOW

 

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