November 2025 Newsletter
Wiltipoll News
Issue #7 November 2025Wiltipolls Win Interbreed Best Shedding Ewe – Brunswick Ag Show WA, October '25
Congratulations to Sarina Laurin from Mirawee Wiltipoll Stud who, in only the second year of showing and breeding, competed in this WA event for the 100th Anniversary of ASSBA. Fabulous results.
- Champion and Reserve Champion Ewe
- Best of Breed Wiltipoll
- Grand Champion Shedding Ewe in Interbreed
- Grand Champion Shedding pair
Sarina acknowledges the breeders in WA that have provided such lovely foundation stock for her Stud. Additionally, she loves the Sheep Show atmosphere with everyone quick to jump in and help others in the ring and also quick to congratulate each other.
Thinking of Showing/Exhibiting Sheep in '26?
- Contact other breeders who are showing for advice / identify a mentor?
- Choose where you will show/exhibit (use the links below)
- Look at your equipment: trailer/transport, halters/leads, feeders
- Marketing: business cards, posters, brochures, banners (see below)
- Look at your stock to identify the best – lambs change as they grow
Muster Magazine great article — click Showing sheep 101, page 19–22
Upcoming Events
Australian Field Day ScheduleMember Marketing Materials
Our brochure file can be personalised with your farm contact details.
Association Advertising
*November ASSBA Muster Magazine
*Leaders in Lamb insert 3 July 25 in Land, Qld Country Life, Stock and Land, Stock Journal and E Magazine
Welcome to New Members
Patrick and Julie Francis, Moffitts Farm, Romsey VIC
Current Committee Focus
- Newsletter
- Website
- Facebook social media
- New Member Pack
- Next meeting November 25
We are looking for a host for the next Farm Forum?
Contact Julie on 0488 188 772
Profile Anvil Wiltipolls – Catherine Kimmorley
Catherine is one of our veteran breeders as her journey with Wiltipolls started in the nineties while living in the Hunter Valley of NSW. Catherine and her husband both worked off farm and decided to run some sheep. It wasn't long before they found themselves attending to fly blown sheep on weekends and thought there had to be a better option. Catherine came across an article on Wiltshire Horn sheep in a magazine and decided they would be the solution. A drive to Victoria gave them a start with the Wiltshire Horn breed and it wasn't long before a stud was formed. Simultaneously, Catherine was crossing the Wiltshire Horn over her polled woolly sheep and her journey with "Wiltipolls" began.
In time, Catherine discovered others had also been breeding a poll version of the Wiltshire Horn and started to purchase some poll shedding rams to use in her flock. She also became involved in the early days of "The Australian Wiltipoll Association Inc." and established her stud. After about 10 years, the Wiltshire Horn stud was dispersed in favour of the Wiltipolls. The former "Munna" Wiltipoll stud of the Powell family (Coolah, NSW) became an important source of genetics for Catherine as she was developing her own line of sheep. Other rams were sourced from Kars Station, GeeTee stud and Ivy's Retreat. In more recent times, rams have been sourced from Carthona and Westmoreland. Currently, Catherine lives in the Armidale district (Northern Tablelands of NSW) and runs about 140 Wiltipolls, both stud and commercial sheep.
Over the years, Catherine has developed a strong market for her sheep that is quite varied. Catherine finds there is strong demand for her sheep among small land holders, an environment in which Wiltipolls are well suited. Many of her sheep go into Queensland and coastal areas of northern NSW. A portion of her rams are purchased by graziers to be used as a terminal sire over crossbred ewes in the tablelands. Catherine selects for traits that suit these uses and environments. For example, it's important to have sheep with very good black feet that are complete shedders if they are going to the coast. In general, and particularly relevant in terminal sires, Catherine likes to breed sheep with good bone and a large frame that can carry a good amount of meat. To achieve this, Catherine generally uses a number of rams each breeding season over a selected number of ewes to produce progeny that are not too closely related and with the qualities needed to suit her clients. Culls are sold through a local saleyard with a portion of the wether flock going into meat packages for the more "discerning" consumer.
When selecting her stud stock, Catherine looks for solid and balanced conformation that comply with the breed standard. She likes to select for animals with good bones as it is a trait easily lost and required to produce a good carcass that appeals to both stud and commercial buyers. Sheep with black points and feet are preferred. To remain in the stud, ewes must demonstrate ease of lambing and good fertility, with an ability to perform well on pasture.
Three tips Catherine would give to any newcomer to breeding are:
- Buy a smaller number of quality animals rather than more of lower quality. Wiltipolls have a high reproductive rate and your numbers will increase relatively quickly.
- If new to sheep ownership and breeding, buy ewes that are about 3 or 4 years old and experienced with lambing, as they have successfully lambed before.
- Seek advice from several Wiltipoll breeders when considering your situation. Click the link here for a list of breeders — WSBA Members
