Top Wiltshire Horn ewe with twin lambs sells to Gippsland stud

The online Australian Wiltshire Horn Sheepbreeders Association sale was held following the cancellation of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo where the association had planned to hold a sheep auction.

The multi-vendor sale for the wool-shedding breed recorded a 75 per cent clearance rate and breeders said ewes doubled in price compared to previous sales in 2018 and 2017.

The top-priced ewe was sold by Jason O'Loghlin, O'Loghlin Witshire Horn stud, Deniliquin, NSW.

The 2019-drop ewe had twin lambs at foot and was sired by O'Loghlin Ironman, a top-performing ram for the NSW stud.

"I thought the sale presented a bit of optimism," Mr O'Loghlin said.

"We are facing a wool-less sheep revolution and confidence is growing."

He said interest in the lead-up to the sale was strong and the breed's doing-ability in all types of weather, and genetic traits were driving factors of the interest.

"They lose 100 per cent of their fleece, they're worm resistant, they're very hard on their feet and they tolerate all seasonal conditions and the mothering characteristics are second to none," he said.

The ewe was purchased by Jill Noble and Gary Tie, Hallston Valley Farm, Hallston, in South Gippsland.

Ms Noble said Valley Farm was the largest Wiltshire Horn stud in Victoria.

"The lamb package was the main reason I was so keen on the ewe," she said.

"She has produced two amazing lambs and I have their sire's brother who has performed very well for me this year, I had to have some of his offspring for my future breeding program."

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The top-priced rams, Lot 3 and Lot 4, were bought by Terra Vista Wiltshires, Tabletop, NSW, and Kay Bateson, Bellbrae.

Maiden ewes sold to $650 a head, while registered bidders were from NSW and Victoria.

Australian Wiltshire Horn Association president Marty Koolstra, Kallista Wiltshire Horn stud, said the result of the auction reflected the increasing popularity of the British breed of sheep.

"It was great to see quality rams, ewes with lambs at foot and maiden ewes for auction with spirited bidding by those with eyes for quality," he said.

The sale was conducted by Ballimore Auction online.

Mr Koolstra said Wiltshire Horns were the only pure breed easy care wool sheep in Australia.

"This means that they have consistent, stable genetics, have good growth rates, have reliable shedding abilities and are consistent when it comes to teeth and foot health, fertility and mothering," he said.