After finding a small advertisement for “Wool less meat sheep” in the early 1990s the Wiltshire Horn breed has become an integral part of Brian and Jill Wilson’s Wilson Pastoral business.
The Wilsons have since been increasing the number of the wool-shedding sheep on their four properties in South Australia located in the Mid North, Mallee and Eyre Peninsula.
Mr Wilson said they had previously run Merino flocks but in 1992, they had an exceptionally wet summer and the fly strike was “just terrible”.
He said they were looking for a solution to fly strike when they stumbled across the Wiltshire breed by accident.
“I remember saying if Wiltshires weren’t affected by flystrike, then we had to act on them,” Mr Wilson said.
The Wilsons bought their first Wiltshires from Bill Weatherley in Victoria and starting running the breed, and phasing out Merinos, in 1994.
They started with Wiltshire Horn sheep and have been developing the new Poll Wiltshire breed since 2005. They run the Byarlea Wiltshire Sheep stud.
The natural hardiness and easy-care nature of the sheep has been a big drawcard for the Wilsons.
“Instead of spending time shearing, crutching and mulesing, we’ve got a breed a sheep that doesn’t need as much attention and this gives us more time to spend on other parts of our business, including our cropping program.”
Another benefit is the Wiltshire’s flavoursome, succulent and tender meat, as Mr Wilson said was typical of such English Downs breeds.
The family runs 10,000 Wiltshire Horn and Poll Wiltshire breeding ewes.
Mr Wilson said having a breed such as the Wiltshire that were seasonal breeders made their management in pastoral country easier.
“Wiltshire ewes only cycle in late summer into early autumn for a late winter or spring lambing; this is helpful because it means it’s not so critical to remove rams out of the pastoral country.”
He said Wiltshires had terrific maternal traits. The Wilsons’ flock have consistently achieved a 125 per cent lambing percentage, including on pastoral country where predators such as foxes and eagles can cause issues.
Generally, lambs are turned off at seven to nine months and the Wilsons target 20kg carcase weight. Some lambs are sold over the hooks and others to other restockers or to processors through markets, and ultimately the best marketing option depends on whether the season permits the Wilsons to finish the lambs off. This season is looking “exceptional”.
“We were doing direct sales to restaurants but it became too big a job and we would have had to employ someone,” Mr Wilson said.
In the more than 20 years since the family started running Wiltshires, Mr Wilson said there was always demand for their sheep.
He said the breed’s popularity was again on the rise.
“Things go in cycles, Wiltshires were incredibly popular a few years ago and then it seems the interest has been in some of the African breeds but I think we’ve got benefits over those breeds, including Wiltshires’ mothering, capacity to perform on native pastures and meat quality.
“Interest is growing again in the Wiltshire breed.”
*Byarlea Wiltshire Sheep stud will take part in the inaugural Australian Wiltshire Horn Show and Sale on Saturday, October 22 in partnership with the Bendigo Agricultural Society as part of the Annual Bendigo Agricultural Show. All shown stock will be up for sale.
