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{{Short description|Breed of sheep}}
[[File:Gromark.jpg|right|270px|thumb|A Gromark ram]]
'''Gromark''' sheep are a large-framed, plain bodied dual-purpose ([[Lamb and mutton|meat]] and [[wool]]) breed of [[sheep]] that were under development in 1965 by Arthur C. Godlee at "Marengo", [[Tamworth, New South Wales]]. They were selected for a high growth rate, fertility, wool quality and carcase attributes.
==Characteristics==
The Gromark is a prime sheep fixed at approximately 69 percent [[Corriedale]] and 50 percent [[Border Leicester]] genetics. It is [[Polled livestock|polled]] (does not have horns), has a white open face, clean legs. The long white [[wool]] fleece weighs 4-7 kilos, is about 130 mm long and averages about 30 [[Wool measurement|microns]]<ref name="AWEX w">Preparation of Australian Wool Clips, Code of Practice 2010-2012, Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010</ref> in fibre diameter.<ref name="AWEX s">''Sheep breed compendium'', Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), 2010</ref>
Rams average 100 kg, ewes are approximately 75-80 kg (175lb). The rams are typically used as terminal sires for first-cross fat lamb production, but the ewes do produce large lean lambs.<ref name="AWEX s"/> The Gromark  breed is hardy with a low incidence of fly strike and [[dystocia]].
Since 1965 Gromark sheep have been selected by objective measurement for good growth, without excessive fat. The results are being used to provide breed-specific parameters to improve the accuracy of [[Animal breeding|Estimated Breeding Values]] (EBV) produced by Australia's national performance testing scheme for meat sheep.<ref>Stephens, M (''et al.''), ''Handbook of Australian Livestock'', Australian Meat & Livestock Export Corporation, 2000 (4th ed.), {{ISBN|1-74036-216-0}}</ref> In 1979 the Australian Gromark Breed Society was formed and is committed to performance recording of the breed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/gromark/index.htm |title=Breeds of Livestock |work=ansi.okstate.edu |publisher=Oklahoma State University Dept of Animal Science |access-date=2010-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224201530/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/gromark/index.htm |archive-date=2009-12-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
This breed is mostly found in the high rainfall areas of south-east Australia, in New South Wales and Victoria.<ref name="AWEX s"/> The [[Rare Breeds Trust of Australia]] has classified the breed as "recommended for investigation" into its stability as a breeding population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rbta.org/sheep.htm |title=Sheep |publisher=Rare Breeds Trust of Australia |accessdate=March 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628172444/http://www.rbta.org/sheep.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2010 }}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Sheep breeds of Australia and New Zealand}}
[[Category:Sheep breeds originating in Australia]]
[[Category:Sheep breeds]]