However, one of Australia's largest suppliers of prime lamb genetics, Tom Bull, Holbrook, NSW, says some producers are "stuck in a box" between wool and meat.

They are unsure of the way forward with the large range of sheep breeds and diversity in production systems.

Mr Bull, whose business has grown from selling about 100 rams a decade ago, to supplying 1300 to 1400 rams to about 140 lamb producers under his LAMBPRO genetic system, says the industry is being held back by tradition.

Speaking at LAMBPRO'S South Australian launch at Naracoorte, he said maternal performance is a massive driver of profit.

But the current maternal ewe options – Merinos and first-cross ewes – are not the answer going forward.