INSIDE
Welcome
Photo Gallery
2024 Sale Results
2025 Sale Dates
Genetic Trends
Market Leadership
Sire Team
Research Trials
Latest News
Semen Catalogue
WELCOME
We are pleased to share the latest updates from Kentish Downs Poll Dorset Stud as we move into an exciting new season. This edition highlights achievements across our breeding programs, research collaborations, and genetic benchmarking. Our focus remains on genetic progress, data integrity, and delivering rams that achieve results for commercial producers.
Breeding Programs
Between November 2024 and February 2025, we undertook our largest program to date: 23 elite sires in natural matings—each ranking in the top 1% of the Lambplan TCP index. A targeted AI program with 150 ewes, introducing proven sires to enhance benchmarking and national connectivity. These initiatives ensure clients benefit from genetics bred for heavier, faster, more profitable lambs.
Research & Validation
Through the Bowan Park Poll Dorset Research Flock, independent trials continue to validate our sires. KD 230196 progeny averaged 43.8 kg at 14 weeks, with standout daily growth. These results confirm the profitability our genetics deliver in commercial conditions.
Expansion & Investment
In February 2025, we strengthened our stud with 28 elite ewes from the Pepperton Poll Dorset dispersal. These females add depth and drive ongoing progress.
Recognition & Data Quality
For the third consecutive year, Kentish Downs achieved a 5-star data quality rating from Sheep Genetics—reflecting rigorous DNA testing, precise lamb recording, and trusted integrity.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to connecting with clients at the Henty Machinery Field Days. Our team is always available to discuss genetics, selection advice, and the latest performance insights.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we’re shaping a more productive, profitable, and sustainable lamb industry.
Craig, Kaz, Holly and Tom
To share what drives us, everything we do is guided by a clear vision for the future and a purpose that keeps us focused on delivering results for our clients.
VISION
To be Australia’s leading Poll Dorset stud, recognised for driving genetic progress that delivers profitable, efficient, and high-quality lamb production for producers worldwide.
PURPOSE
At Kentish Downs, we breed rams that grow heavier, faster, and more profitably—driven by data integrity and innovation— to deliver genetics that boost productivity, eating quality, and industry sustainability.
2024 SALE RESULTS
Stud & Selected
2023 Drop Ram Sale
AuctionsPlus Only
Friday 20 Sept. 2024 @ 1.00pm
Top Price: $3,900
Average Price: $2,325
2024 Drop Ram Lamb Sale
On-Property & AuctionsPlus
Wednesday 6 Nov 2024 @ 1.00pm
Top Price: $5,720
Average Price: $1,708
HENTY MACHINERY
FIELD DAYS
23-25 September 2025 Rams on display.
We’d love to see you!
Find us at Block O, Site 673
Opposite the Eastern Gate Entrance.
2025 SALE DATES
Friday 26 September, 2025
Selected 2024 Drop Ram Sale
AuctionsPlus Only
1.00pm
35 High-Indexing July-Aug 2024 Drop Rams
Wednesday 5 November, 2025
Stud & Selected 2025 Drop Ram Lamb Sale
On-Property & AuctionsPlus 1.00pm
Pre-inspection from 10am
2096 Sturt Highway, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
150 High Indexing 2025 Drop Ram Lambs
Selling Agent for Both Ram Sales:
Jaiden Burke 0407 666 768 Matt Campion 0437 290 435
Hannah Baker 0477 508 750
GENETIC TRENDS
KENTISH DOWNS - NEXT LEVEL GENETICS
At Kentish Downs Poll Dorset Stud, we’re focused on breeding sheep that boost your bottom line.
Genetics drive productivity and profit, and many key carcase traits are highly heritable. That’s why we combine top sires, visual assessment, and Lambplan data to breed high-performing rams and ewes.
Our goal is simple: Deliver genetics that make our clients more money.
KENTISH DOWNS POLL DORSET STUD - TOTAL ANIMALS BY DROP
Graph 1 - Total number of animals by drop for the past 6 years at Kentish Downs Poll Dorset Stud. In the past 6 years, the number of animals has increased by over 1000.
Graph 2 - Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
The Kentish Down’s flock (blue line) emerges as a clear leader, with the index soaring from 130 in 2019 to 158 by 2025. That’s the steepest and most consistent upward momentum in the dataset—showcasing sustained, reliable gains year over year.
GENETIC TRENDS CONTINUED
KENTISH DOWNS - NEXT LEVEL GENETICS
POST EYE MUSCLE DEPTH TRENDS 2019 - 2024 - AVERAGE PER YEAR
PEMD = Increases dressing percentage $$
Graph 3 - Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
The graph highlights strong genetic improvement in Eye Muscle Depth at Kentish Downs compared to both breed and industry benchmarks.
In 2019, Kentish Downs started just above 1.9, close to the breed average of 50%.
By 2024, the stud had progressed to 3.4, sitting in the top 15%.
The widening gap illustrates Kentish Downs’ accelerated genetic progress and leading position in muscle development traits.
POST WEANING WEIGHT TRENDS 2019 - 2024 - AVERAGE PER YEAR
PWT = Marketable earlier $$
Graph 4 - Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
The graph shows steady genetic progress in Post Weaning Weight (PWT) over the past six years. Kentish Downs’ flock (solid blue line) has consistently outperformed both the breed average (green dashed line) and the industry analysis benchmark (yellow dotted line).
In 2019, PWT started just above the industry average at around 12.9. By 2024, Kentish Downs reached 16.2, demonstrating significant improvement and widening the gap against benchmarks.
A PROVEN PATH OF GENETIC EXCELLENCE
KENTISH
DOWNS - NEXT LEVEL GENETICS
LAMBPLAN TESTED STUDS TERMINAL CARCASE PRODUCTION VS TOTAL RAMS IN 2024 DROP
Lambplan Tested Poll Dorset Studs in Australia Ram Numbers in 2024
Graph 5: Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
This graph shows all Lambplan tested Poll Dorset Studs in Australia with total number of rams in the 2024 drop vs Terminal Carcase Production.
Looking ahead, the 2025 predicted drop average is expected to climb even higher to 158 TCP, pushing Kentish Downs into the top 10% nationally and closing in on the top 5% percentile band.
The graph above shows how sire selection and disciplined breeding have propelled Kentish Downs from below industry average in 2019 to a projected position among Australia’s top performers by 2025.
YEAR-ON-YEAR GENETIC GAIN
SHEEP GENETICS - ASBVS
EYE MUSCLE DEPTH VS POST WEANING WEIGHT YEARLY AVERAGES
Graph 6: Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
Kentish Downs Poll Dorset Stud continues to deliver measurable progress. Since 2019, our breeding program has lifted both Post Weaning Weight (PWT) and Eye Muscle Depth (PEMD), driving faster growth and improved carcase yield.
In just six years, PWT has increased from 13.0 to 16.6, while simultaneously PEMD has increased from 2.0 to 3.7.
Pictured below: Mid-loin chops from some of our Kentish Downs Merino Cross lambs.
INDIVIDUAL TCP INDEX FOR SALE RAMS IN SEPTEMBER 2025
TCP = Money making index $$
Graph 7: TCP vs Individual Ram for Kentish Downs, September Sale Catalogue. Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
STUD SIRES OF THE 2025 DROP LAMBS
RAM LAMB SALE WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 2025
INDIVIDUAL TCP INDEX FOR STUD SIRES
TCP = Money making index $$
Graph 8: TCP vs Stud Sires of the 2025 Drop Lambs. Source Sheep Genetics 15/08/2025.
KENTISH DOWNS SEPTEMBER 2025
SALE CATALOGUE
AUCTIONSPLUS ONLINE SALE - FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER @ 1.00PM
KENTISH DOWNS SIRE TEAM
SETTING THE STANDARD IN GENETICS
The Kentish Downs sire team continues to perform well above industry benchmarks, proving once again why our genetics are in such demand. With an average TCP of 167.5, our sires sit firmly in the top 5% nationally, outperforming the 2024 drop Sheep Genetics average of 144.9.
Growth & Performance
Our sires average 12.5 for Weaning Weight (WWT) and 19.3 for Post Weaning Weight (PWT), ensuring rapid early growth and heavier lambs at key market stages. Both traits sit comfortably in the top 5% of industry standards.
Carcase Superiority
With an average Carcase Weight (CWT) of 7.9 compared to the industry’s 5.5, our team delivers lambs that yield more saleable meat. Coupled with an average PEMD of 4.4, this means deeper muscling and stronger returns on every carcass.
Balanced Excellence
Across the board, Kentish Downs sires demonstrate not just growth, but balance—maintaining solid results for fat cover, lean meat yield, intramuscular fat, and dressing percentage. This ensures our genetics produce sheep that are not only fast-growing but also high-quality and market-ready.
Data source: Sheep Genetics
Between November 2024 and February 2025, Kentish Downs ran a major breeding program that combined natural matings with 23 elite sires (all ranking in the top 1% for TCP) and an AI program with 150 ewes using leading external sires. This approach not only benchmarked Kentish Downs’ own genetics against the national Sheep Genetics database but also ensured each ewe was paired to maximise genetic progress. The result: a carefully designed 2025 progeny drop built for stronger performance and industry connectivity.
The top selection of rams from the August/September 2024 drop will be available exclusively on AuctionsPlus for sale on Friday, 26th September.
RESEARCH: BOWAN PARK POLL DORSET RESEARCH FLOCK
BOWAN PARK PROGENY TRIAL
Kentish Downs put forward sire KD 230196 in the 2025 Bowan Park research trial, marking a significant step in its commitment to performance benchmarking and genetic improvement.
The progeny trial aims to compare the performance of different sires within the same group of lambs. Key performance traits assessed include growth, muscle, and fat— measured both in live animals (e.g., birth weight, weaning weight, post-weaning traits) and at carcase level (e.g., retail meat yield, dressing %, intramuscular fat %).
Visual assessments focus on structural conformation, carcase shape, and breed characteristics, all aligned with Poll Dorset’s role as a terminal sire and APDA standards. These evaluations help producers achieve more efficient and profitable outcomes.
At time of writing we are currently awaiting the carcase results to complete the full performance evaluation.
We sincerely thank the trial convenor for their professionalism and dedication throughout the process.
Pictured 29/8/25 - Progeny of KD230196 weighing 70kg at 16 weeks, not weaned.
KD 230196
Powering Performance in the Paddock
The on-farm progeny of KD 230196 are proving exactly why this sire is one of the most exciting performers in the industry. At just 14 weeks of age, his lambs are hitting an impressive average weight of 43.8 kg—well ahead of industry benchmarks.
The standout lamb tipped the scales at a remarkable 63.4 kg at 14 weeks, showcasing the growth potential packed into these genetics.
With an average daily gain of 372 g/day, and a top performer charging ahead at 569 g/day, KD 230196 progeny are built for efficiency and profitability.
Faster growth means lambs reaching market weights sooner, reducing input costs and driving greater returns. These results underline KD 230196’s ability to deliver lambs that are not only big on weight but also big on value.
KD 230196 is stamping his mark on the industry with progeny that grow faster, weigh heavier, and deliver more for producers. This is the kind of performance that keeps Kentish Downs genetics at the forefront of profitable lamb production.
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH TRIAL
TEMORA AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION CENTRE
In August 2024, an independent research trial was launched at the TAIC to validate ASBVs. While the full dataset is still being analysed, early results are already impressive. At less than six months of age with a pasture only diet, using current average values the lambs would average $326.50/head.
1.JOINING
2. PRE-LAMBING
EARLY TRIAL RESULTS
100 MERINO EWES
JOINED 1 MARCH, 2024
100
HIGH GROWTH RAMS ALL PROGENY AVG 55.2KG AT AVG 170 DAYS
AVERAGE GROWTH RAMS
4. WEANING
5. POST WEANING
7. FLETCHER INT. EXPORT
6. MUSCLE/FAT SCAN
MERINO EWES
LATEST NEWS
2025 LAMBITION BOEHRINGER INDUSTRY INNOVATOR AWARD
It was pretty special time here at Kentish Downs and Redgum River Pastoral Co when Craig Wilson was named the winner of the 2025 Lambition Boehringer Industry Innovator Award.
For Craig, recognition like this is nice, but the real joy comes from helping other sheep producers lift their profitability. Over the past 20 years, through the Australian Merino Production Trial, Craig has had the chance to work alongside so many dedicated farmers. What continues to inspire him is seeing the transformation when producers put data-driven genetics into practice.
STRATEGIC EXPANSION: PEPPERTON’S FINEST JOIN KENTISH DOWNS
Strategic expansion continues, with 28 elite ewes added from the Pepperton Poll Dorset Stud Ewe Dispersal Sale in February 2025.
The graph below highlights the Terminal Carcase Production (TCP) Index rankings of the purchased ewes. With an average ewe TCP of 164.6, the Kentish Downs purchases sit comfortably within the Top 5% nationally (161–167), with several individuals reaching into the Top 1% (≥167) bracket.
This strategic acquisition strengthens Kentish Downs’ breeding program by adding highly ranked ewes that will accelerate genetic progress, ensuring the stud remains at the forefront of performance-driven lamb production.
INDIVIDUAL TCP INDEX FOR PURCHASED EWES
Graph 9: TCP index rankings of the 28 ewes purchased in February, 2025. Source: Sheep Genetics 15/8/25
LATEST NEWS
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
For the third consecutive year, Kentish Downs Poll Dorset Stud has been awarded a 5star data quality score by Sheep Genetics, recognising the stud’s strong commitment to genetic excellence and data accuracy. The entire flock of 1,400 ewes has been DNA recorded, ensuring full pedigree verification for every lamb. Each lamb is weighed at birth and undergoes genomic testing, with a focus on hard-to-measure traits such as eating quality.
We continue to invest in integrating the latest technology and fully benchmarking all progeny. All rams offered at our sales are ranked among the highest-value indexing terminal sheep in Australia.
SEMEN CATALOGUE
GENETIC POWER
PEPPERTON-230321 With a TCP of 181.2, impressive growth PWT 19.5, combined with balanced muscle PEMD 4.6, and lean carcase PFAT -0.3, makes him a highly profitable option. Currently ranked 6 ram for TCP in the Poll Dorset Lambplan database. th KENTISH DOWNS-230182 A well-rounded sire TCP 172.2, with standout muscling PEMD 5.6 and solid growth PWT 18.8. Offers a good balance between carcase yield LMY 4.8 and maintaining fat cover PFAT 0.
KENTISH DOWNS-230460 A true muscling specialist, recording the highest PEMD at 6.5. His strong carcase attributes make him a prime choice for producing heavy, well-muscled lambs with a low birth weight.
KENTISH DOWNS-230196 (Bowan Park Research Flock) A sire of unique value. His proven progeny deliver exceptional growth PWT 20.5. His higher fat PFAT 1.3 supports resilience and maternal efficiency.
