*47 of 60 rams sold to $4000, av $1590
AFTER 46 years of breeding, Helen Morgan has dispersed her Millswyn White Suffolk stud at Katandra.
In 1975, Ms Morgan purchased South Suffolk ewes to dabble in stud breeding.
Shortly after, she shifted her focus to Poll Dorsets before settling on her the White Suffolk breed.
Last week, after more than four decades breeding, Ms Morgan dispersed the ram offering to 14 long-term clients, for a sale high of $4000.
"For me the stud was a challenge, and I enjoy a challenge, because you never get that perfect sheep," she said.
"You can breed some fantastic looking sheep.
"I have one that is the most attractive ram you could ever imagine and that gives you a thrill."
The top price was paid by R & L McCartney, Yea, for Lot 1.
The second-highest price of the sale was $3200, paid for Lot 1's pen mate, by GP & MM Collins, Milloo.
Bryan Stannard, Shepparton, purchased a stud registered ram out of Lot 5, for $3000.
Volume buyers traveled from across the state, and included Eddie Rovers, Colac, who purchased eight rams to average $1000, and P & E Finlayson, Yarrawonga, who also bought eight to average $2263.
While she experienced more than 30 years of success in the showring, Ms Morgan said her greatest achievement was seeing clients' commercial success.
"The muscle development in the stud's progeny has been a great achievement for me," she said.
"They're easy-care sheep and I have rarely pulled a lamb.
"I have been able to breed easy-care animals.
"In the showring, they are pretty sheep but it is the estimated breeding values and what is on the inside, the carcase, that really matters."
Charles Stewart Dove livestock auctioneer Shelby Howard said Ms Morgan had been an outstanding breeder of commercially-valuable genetics for 40 years.
"She's done a fantastic job which is reflected by the solid support Helen has through the Goulburn Valley area," Mr Howard said.
"She had a big following of clients who all supported her last sale very well.
"Millswyn rams have been the best White Suffolks in terms of meat and shape for a very long time.
"You could see with the commercial lambs her clients sell as suckers or store lambs, they were always great quality and shape."
While this was the end of an era for the stud, Ms Morgan will remain active in the commercial game.
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
