“Over the last
developed our
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For over 60 years, Alma Merinos, has adhered to a consistent breeding philosophy, producing Merinos perfectly adapted to the challenging conditions of the Hay Plains.
The result is a large-framed Merino with rapid growth rates and a reliable, mediummicron fleece, well suited to varying climatic conditions.
“Over the last six decades, we’ve carefully developed our genetic lines to produce animals that can thrive throughout their lives on the Hay Plains,” Stud owner Graham Morphett explained.
Alma rams are raised in native saltbush paddocks without supplementary feed, crucial for clients seeking effective grazing on expansive pastoral properties.
The dual nature of the Alma bloodline, established by Graham's father, remains essential for modern Merino flock operators navigating the changing wool and meat markets.
“Fluctuating stock prices over the last few years have served as a real reminder of the benefits that dual purpose animals can bring to livestock businesses.
“Being able to produce a high quality fleece as well as a desirable carcass means our clients can safeguard their businesses,
“Being able to produce a high quality fleece as well as a desirable carcass means our clients can safeguard their businesses.”
regardless of what the market is doing,” Morphett said.
Special attention is taken to progress the performance of Alma’s bloodline with Poll Merino sires sourced from SouthAustralia.
“We have great confidence in the Merino industry and continue to invest in its progression.
“Our team of sires have the combination of outstanding ASBVs and physical characteristics, their stylish wool and rapidly maturing carcass traits will continue to help us on our mission to breed Merinos suited for the Western Division and Western Riverina.”
Alma Merinos will hold its annual Ram Selection Day in September, offering both existing and prospective clients the opportunity to select rams for their flocks.
To learn more and to book a selection appointment visit www.almamerinos.com.au.
Alma Merino principals (from left) Peter, Graham and Will Morphett grow Merinos perfectly adapted to the Hay Plains.
six decades, we’ve carefully
genetic lines to produce animals that can thrive throughout their lives on the Hay Plains,” Graham Morphett said. Image: Zelda Chambers.
Wanganella first. Poll Boonoke second. That is how the ribbons fell in the Elders Pen of Three March Shorn Rams at the National Merino Sheep Show in August.
A strong endorsement of the productive and balanced Stud breeding objectives and a testament to the depth, evenness and quality evident in these Stud flocks, which will be reflected in the 2024 drop rams to be offered this spring.
The selected representatives of the drop have given a good account of themselves at the Merino industry’s most prestigious comparative events this year.
PB240424 was the Champion Hogget Merino Ram at the Hay Sheep Show, the Champion Australian Merino All Purpose Meat Ram at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show and the Reserve Champion Strong Wool March
Shorn Ram at the National Merino Sheep Show.
W242433 was the Reserve Champion Australian Merino All Purpose Ram at the Australian Show and his pen mates, W240311 and W241731, were the Champion and Reserve Champion Medium Wool March Shorn Rams at the National Show.
Also successful at the National Show was PB240515, who was judged the Champion Fine/Medium Wool March Shorn Ram.
W241731 and PB240515 will head up the lineup of 50 Wanganella and 150 Poll Boonoke auction rams to be offered on Wednesday, September 17.
Appointments for private selections of flock grade rams are available from Thursday, September 18 and can be arranged by contacting theAFAStud Team.
Above: Wanganella and Poll Boonoke’s 2024 sale realised a top price of $17,000, with an overall average of $2616. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland.
Left: Angus Munro (AFA Stud Breeding Manager), Charlie Shingles (AFA Stud Ramshed Groom), Rachel Pritchard (Elders Stud Stock Specialist) and Forbes Murdoch (AFA Stud Master) with the first-place Wanganella Team in the Elders Pen of Three March Shorn Rams at the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show 2025. Image: supplied.
Below: Poll Boonoke 240515, Champion Fine/Medium March Shorn Poll Ram at the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Lot 1 in the 2025AFARamAuction. Image: supplied.
A balanced approach to breeding has been the aim of One Oak Poll Merino Stud’s principal Alistair Wells for over three decades.
A life-long passion for Merino breeding and the ability to adapt to market forces has seen One Oak Poll remain a viable option for sheep producers when sourcing genetics, aimed at optimising profits for both wool and meat production.
Over the last thirty years One Oak Poll has continually benchmarked their genetics by utilising Sire Evaluation to test how rams breed off farm.
“Sire Evaluation is a good test for me as a breeder to see how my sires will perform in different climatic, environmental and management conditions”Alistair said.
“Our sire W17002 has ranked in the All Time Top 50 Sires (from 1989-2023) in Merino Superior Sires. W17002 ranked 6th for Sustainable Meat index, 13th for Merino Lamb Index and 47th for Wool Production Index.
“These ranking are against the best genetics in the business, tested over the past three decades.”
Consistent performance in ewe flock competitions by One Oak Poll blood flocks is another reliable indicator of the Stud’s commercial relevance.
One Oak Poll clients have been placed 28 times in the past 30 years of the Lake Cargelligo Ewe Competition, as well as being consecutive winners of the West Wyalong Flock Ewe Competition.
Balanced Breeding
Willandra Merinos performed well at this year’s Dubbo National Merino Show, taking top place honours for both the Champion Fine Medium Wool Ram and Champion Fine Medium Wool Ewe. Stud managerAngus Heath (left) and classer Chris Bowman posed with the champion Willandra Merinos. Image: supplied.
One Oak Merino Stud’sAlistair and Natasha Wells. Image: supplied.
Plain bodied, loose skinned type has allowed Caroonboon Merinos to transition with confidence to a non-mulesed flock, starting with the 2025 drop.
The 2025 drop lambs have an average wrinkle score of two.
“Last year at Classings Classic we invested in Poll Boonoke 231174 from the PB Prime Family (non-mulesed line),” Caroonboon’s Georgina Meddings said.
“PB231174 has the Caroonboon style long free staple wool plus some impressive EMD and FAT carcass traits, with great depth of side. PB231174's progeny will be offered at the 2026 annual sale.”
By the end of 2025 the entire Caroonboon stud flock will be genotyped.
“This will improve the accuracy of our data in Sheep Genetics enabling us to make more informed breeding decisions and will assist clients with their purchasing.”
“Our EMD, FAT and BWt results this year have been very pleasing with the overall 2024 drop ram flock averaging higher than last year’s sale catalogue average.
“We’re looking forward to presenting a well rounded sale team in September.
“For the first time since 2016, the containment yards have been in use both in response to the season but also to take advantage of the positive market prices for prime lamb.
“It’s a model that has worked well in this dry year, taking the pressure off the pastures
Caroonboon’s Derrym and Georgina Meddings. Image: supplied.
and value adding to our prime lamb production,” Georgina said.
Why Caroonboon Merinos?
• Six month shearing - ewes average 18 micron and cut at least 60mm per shearing
• Plain bodied - our plain bodied loose skin type compliments non-mulesed flocks
• Genetics benchmarked against the Caroonboon 12,000 breeding ewe commercial flock
• Partner with a team that’s focused on continuous improvement
Surging sheep prices and a big drop in the national sheep flock are giving Merino breeders the chance to capitalise after a tight couple of years, according to local Merino studmaster Stephen Huggins
Mr Huggins, principal of Woodpark Poll Merino stud, “Eurolie”, Hay, said the fall in sheep numbers meant those with the product to meet changing markets, taking advantage of both meat and wool markets, were in the box seat.
“The red meat market is rewarding those who have been able to maintain numbers with the national sheep shortage playing out both in the meat market and gradually lifting wool prices.”
“The national flock – and wool clip - was already forecast to be significantly reduced before the Queensland floods and south’
eastern Australian drought, with the NW NSW move to shedding breeds and Western Australian exodus from sheep due to uncertainty following the ban on live export.
“It has underlined the importance of the Merino flock which still underpins the base flock acrossAustralia.
“Our approach to breeding, with the use of DNA testing and data collection to back up the sheep we breed, aims to put theWoodpark Poll flock in good stead to capitalise on opportunities such as this year.
“The goal is to breed the most productive sheep we can for our clients, without sacrificing anything for micron.
Above: Woodpark Poll’s Stephen Huggins and daughterOlivia. Image: Brett Tindal.
In just seven years, the East Loddon Ram Sale has become a fixture on the calendar and it’s still growing year on year.
“Even in last year’s challenging season, we achieved a full clearance, a testament to the quality, consistency, and reputation of our sheep,” said principal Sarah Hooke.
“The demand for our style of sheep - non-mulesed, SRSbred Merinos, is stronger than ever.
“Wool buyers, growers and processors alike are recognising the value of sheep that are easy to manage,
kinder on the land, and bred for long-term profitability.
“At East Loddon, we’ve spent over 40 years breeding Merinos that are made to thrive, in the paddock, on your books, and in the future of the industry.
“Our SRS sheep are low-maintenance, high-performing, and naturally resilient, with wool that speaks for itself and genetics built to last.
“What we offer is proven, practical breeding - sheep that are easier to manage, better for the land, and bred with care for long-term results.
“No mulesing. Less chemical. More productivity.
“Run by Tom and Sarah Hooke, we combine science, experience, and ethical farming to help you build stronger flocks and better farms - without compromising on animal welfare or your bottom line.
“We invite you to join us for our 7thAnnual Ram Sale at Warwillah, Wanganella on Thursday 11th September.
Inspections from 10 am, sale at 1 pm.
“Come and see why more producers are choosing East Loddon genetics year after year.”
ONPROPERTY
Stud is set to host its 42nd Annual Spring Ram Sale on Wednesday, 1st October, commencing at 1pm, with inspections available from 11am.
The sale will take place on-property at Kismet, located at 5159 Riverina Highway, Howlong, NSW.
This year’s offering includes 110 White Suffolk rams, 40 Southdown/White Suffolk crosses, and 35 Poll Dorsets.
All rams have been performance tested through Stockscan, with full data available on the day or via the Kismet Stud website.
Avenel Merinos’ 47th on-farm auction will offer 96 Stud and specially selected rams.
“Our highly productive genetics of heavy wool cutters suit all areas,”Avenel Merinos’ Amanda McCrabb said.
“This year’s sale rams averaged 17.3 microns, 99.4 per cent CF, SD - 3.1 across the whole drop.
“We will display sale rams at the Riverina
Sheep & Wool Expo, Conargo on August 27, and the South-West Slopes Stud Merino Breeders Field Day at Harden on September 2.
“Auction rams will be on display at ‘Avenel’ at our Open Day September 12, from 10am.
“Come and see us to ask what we can do for your sheep enterprise.”
The stud maintains full accreditation for Brucellosis and holds MN1V status under the MAP program.
Kismet Stud continues to focus on breeding rams with correct structure to reduce management demands and improve lambing outcomes.
Rams are selected for smooth shoulders, good neck extension - traits that contribute to easier births and higher lamb survival rates.
These breeding principles have delivered consistent results, with lambing percentages
averaging around 170 percent without artificial intervention.
The White Suffolk rams have the capacity to breed quality trade and export lambs as we’ve had clients who have topped Bendigo and Wagga markets on several occasions.
Meanwhile, the Southdown/White Suffolk cross rams are gaining attention for their market-ready lambs, which feature short, dense wool and excellent carcass conformation.
With good width of loin, and well muscled hindquarters, and well-filled twists, these rams are particularly effective over maiden ewes and lamb exceptionally well.
All are welcome to attend the sale, which includes a light lunch for guests.
For those unable to attend in person, the sale will be interfaced withAuctionsPlus.
For prior inspections or enquiries, contact Graham Wilson on 0428 265 215 or David Hill from Elders on 0488 059 083 or Murray Bullen on 0460 952 299.
Email enquiries can be directed to gwilson@kismetstud.com.au.
Kismet
Avenel Merino and Poll Stud offers charity ram for auction each year. In 2024, the ram was bought by David Allen of Mitiamo. He is pictured above with Amelia, Colin and Phoebe McCrabb following the sale. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Tertia Butcher.
