May 2025 Newsletter
Wiltipoll News
Issue #4 May 2025WSBA Farm Forum
June 14, 2025
10am – 3.30pm
Nikki and Geoff Lomman, Pine Hill
Robertson NSW
- Specialist Vet presentation – lambing tips and tricks
- LLS – worms and pests
- WSBA update
- Farm and Lamb shed tour
- Great networking opportunity
- Fabulous spot for a weekend away in NSW Southern Highlands
- Catering provided
Please register via email to wsba1996@gmail.com or contact Nikki on 0418 238 088 to reserve your place.
Pests and Lambing
With lambing approaching, protecting stock from predators becomes a high priority.
Our members from across the country have dealt with many challenges like foxes and wild dogs.
Katherine Kimmorly from Anvil stud in Northern NSW has used Maremmas for 24-hour protection of her flock for over 30 years. Westmoreland and Pine Hill house their stud stock nightly during lambing in purpose-built areas to protect against foxes. These members are more than happy to pass on their experiences.
Reach out to members in your area for advice if you have a pest problem. At our farm forum on June 14, we will have NSW Local Land Services staff present to offer advice.
Member Profile: Ray Newman, "Muskdale Wiltipolls", Axedale, VIC
Ray is a "veteran" breeder since 2007. He has also bred, exhibited, and judged horses and poultry. Ray's involvement in, particularly horses, has given him a strong sense of the importance of sound conformation and this has been a cornerstone principle of his stud sheep breeding program.
In about 2000, Ray started breeding stud Wiltshire Horns, a breed he is still fond of. When others started breeding Wiltipolls, Ray was drawn to breeding polled Wiltshire Horns having more appeal than a horned animal and provided the opportunity, with new genetics, to correct some aspects of conformation. He bought a polled ram from the Toll brothers in Gunbower, Victoria and joined him to his Wiltshire Horn ewes. Fortunately, all the progeny were polled and this was the beginning of Ray's Wiltipoll stud. Ray continued to breed Wiltshire Horns for another 5-6 years but found the management of both too difficult and so abandoned his Wiltshire Horn stud.
Since that time, Ray has run up to 65 ewes, with currently 40 breeding ewes. He normally uses 2-3 rams to maintain genetic diversity. Ray has been a frequent exhibitor of Wiltipolls in Victoria for about 15 years. Ray places a lot of importance on sound conformation when selecting his breeding stock and aims to breed sheep consistently with good growth rates and meaty carcasses.
Ray's selection process starts with lambs at 6 weeks for first vaccination. He downgrades lambs with poor conformation and incorrect mouths. The second selection occurs at 12 weeks for second vaccination. Rams are carefully selected with most becoming commercial rams. Rams kept as stud rams must be from a superior ewe that excels in her maternal traits, lambed easily, had at least twins reared successfully and be sound in her udders. These qualities form the selection of the ewes that remain in the stud as well. Ewes undergo scrutiny again at about 2-3 years of age when some faults can become evident. Udders are checked with any signs of mastitis or flagging.
When asked the three tips for beginning breeders, Ray said: firstly, buy the best stock you can find and afford — Ray believes the strength of your breeding flock is primarily in the quality of the ewes. Secondly, good yards and infrastructure that make management efficient and effective, and be familiar with the use of vaccines and general animal health. Thirdly, no one knows everything, but when it comes to seeking advice from others, take notice of those breeders who "have the runs on the board".
Upcoming Events
Australian Field Day Schedule| Dubbo Show (ASSBA Centenary event) | 30/5 – 1/6/2025 |
| WSBA Farm Forum at Pine Hill Wiltipolls, Bowral NSW | 14/6/2025 |
| Mudgee Small Farms Field Day | 11–12/7/2025 |
| Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show (ASSBA Centenary event) | 17–20/7/2025 |
| 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 |
Congratulations
To NSW Member Westmoreland Wiltipolls on their success with Supreme Champion Wiltipoll Ram and Ewe at Sydney Royal in April 2025.
Where to see Wiltipolls in the next few months? (Are you showing or exhibiting?)
Dubbo Show – 4 breeders competing in the first year of stand-alone Wiltipoll Class, including Novice
WSBA Farm Forum – Breeder opening their farm to members to visit and share ideas
Mudgee Small Farms Field Day – Two breeders combining to showcase the breed over a 2-day event
Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show – Wiltipolls will be in the showring again this year
Committee Update
- Organising Next Farm Forum, AGM
- Members engagement priorities
- Newsletter, Facebook social media
- New Member Pack development
- Next meeting 19/5/25
Welcome to New Members in 2025
| David Fuller | Leeton | NSW |
| Richard Shepherd | Kongorong | SA |
| David Arkinstall "Boondaroo" | Watton | NSW |
| Robert Evans | Merricks | VIC |
| Danielle Ternes "Deephouse" | Penrose | NSW |
| Albert Alonso & Lisa Tomlinson-Alonso "The Curragh" | Canyonleigh | NSW |
Email: wsba1996@gmail.com