In November of 2021, Russell County Extension ANR Program was invited to work with a local sheep producer, to do embryo transfer work with a new breed of sheep.  The new breed was Australian White.  The breed was developed in Australia about 10 years ago, and has since started to gain attention in the United States.  The work done on the local producers farm was the first Australian White Embryos to be brought into the Commonwealth.  Also the lambs born were the first to be born on a farm in Kentucky.  

The breed has been developed to give a different flavor to lamb, and for maximum growth in lambs.  During the transfer work, a sheep producer from Alabama was present and brought the embryos, that had been ordered, two vets from Mexico, and multiple volunteers from other counties in the Commonwealth.  This farm is also home to the first known Australian White Ram to breed ewes in KY.

During the day, we each got to experience each step of the process, but each ewe also had to be prepared a week in advance with hormone shots.  During the day of transfer ewes were given a hormone shot, laid on special operating table, had their belly shaved, then checked for a CL on the ovary, and if one was found an embryo was placed in the fallopian tube.  The success rate for the transfer is usually about 45% but this producer achieved about 55% conception.

The work done on this farm will hopefully help change the sheep industry in the years to come for the betterment of the entire meat industry.  The hope is that the Australian White breed will bring a meat product that is more appealing to consumers taste, and helps to wipe away the stigma of lamb products on the dinner table.  More breeding is taking place on the farm with crossbred animals and purebred Australian White sheep as well and the producer has plans continue to expand the herd.