July 2025 Newsletter
Wiltipoll News
Issue #5 July 2025Western Australia Wiltipoll Breeders at 2025 Youth Sheep Expo
Sarina Laurin from Mirawee Wiltipolls and Rose Young from Abasha Wiltipolls supplied not only sheep for the WA Youth Sheep Expo but their time as well, to help in the 10–14 year age group. The next generation of stock handlers were mentored through theory and practical classes, and Wiltipolls were in the thick of it. Read and see more on our Facebook page.
Breeder Profile: Ian Hopwood and Loris Denyer of "Reavesdale Wiltipolls"
Reavesdale is located in South West Slopes of NSW, a renowned district for sheep and mixed enterprises. Both Ian and Loris came from Merino sheep families committed to wool production, and they made the transition to Wiltipolls nearly 20 years ago. They are committed to showcasing the breed and Loris is also a current committee member of our Association.
In 2006, their flock consisted of Merino cross White Suffolk ewes and both were working fulltime off farm with only weekends to manage their sheep. The wet summer forced their weekends to be consumed with treating flies. This and difficulty sourcing shearers made them wonder if there was a better option. Ian recalls reading an article by Rita Hough (Grangevale Wiltipolls) that started him thinking that maybe the wool shedding breed would suit them better. They attended the Munna Wiltipoll sale (Coolah, NSW) and bought a few stud ewes and rams intending to run only commercial sheep, and embarked on an upgrading program using their existing sheep and Wiltipoll rams to breed a commercial flock of wool shedding sheep. They were hoping to purchase Commercial Wiltipolls but found stud stock more readily available so a small stud began to complement their commercial operation. Currently, "Reavesdale" joins about 180 ewes, mainly commercial.
Reavesdale's emphasis is always to improve the quality of stud and commercial sheep. Conformation and temperament are their top two selection criteria. Using the WSBA Breed Standard as their guide, they focus on pollness, pasterns, topline and good carcase traits with a particular emphasis on the rumps. Over the years, they have entered hoof and hook competitions and their pure Wiltipoll sheep performed very well against other lamb breeds. Ian recalls a Wiltipoll breeder from Manildra, NSW, won the hoof and hook trade competition with Wiltipolls. Showing and exhibiting Wiltipolls has been a very enjoyable experience over many years, meeting other passionate and friendly breeders, with a lot to be learned from breeders of other breeds.
Ian and Loris use visual and objective measurement to assess the quality of their sheep. They measure the growth rate of their rams at the time their progeny would normally be sold, with their rams bred to meet a particular market. They believe the maternal qualities of the Wiltipoll ewe will rear quality lambs when crossed with other terminal sire breeds.
Their three tips for new breeders of sheep are: 1. Learn as much as you can from others and judges and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. 2. Make sure you have the infrastructure needed to manage your sheep and have a business plan. 3. Cull hard, striving to improve the quality of your sheep.
Reavesdale is a major Wiltipoll Stud in NSW supplying both stud and commercial stock to breeders and hobbyists alike. Ian and Loris are familiar faces at shows and great mentors to others.
WSBA Facebook reports on the Shows/Field days and more.
Our newest committee member, Aimee Jeffress needs to be congratulated on such a great job in a short time posting weekly stories, reports, results and all that is Wiltipolls! Thanks Aimee for all your efforts. Make sure you follow Wiltipoll Sheep Breeders Association on Facebook to get the latest news weekly.
Upcoming Events
Australian Field Day Schedule| NSW ASSBA Novice Breeders Skills and Information Field Day, Gulgong NSW | 26/7/25 |
| EKKA Brisbane Show | 9–17/8/2025 |
| Adelaide Royal Show (ASSBA Centenary event) | 30/8 – 7/9/2025 |
| Melbourne Royal Show | 25/9 – 5/10/2025 |
| Perth Royal Show | 27/9 – 4/10/2025 |
| Longford TAS Show (ASSBA Centenary event) | 18/10/2025 |
| Brunswick WA Show (ASSBA Centenary event) | 25/10/2025 |
Welcome to New Members
Jo Bucanan, Jones Hill, Qld
Greg Robertson, Wattamolla NSW
Current Committee Focus
- Organising AGM
- Newsletter
- Facebook social media
- New Member Pack held over
- Next meeting — AGM 27/7/25
Considering hosting the next Farm Forum?
Contact Julie on 0488 188 772
Email: wsba1996@gmail.com