September 2025 Newsletter
Wiltipoll News
Issue #6 September 2025MLA State based graphs show Sheep prices still strong but may have peaked! MLA Link
Thinking of Showing Sheep in '26?
Now is the time to start looking at your sheep and planning. Here are a few early tips to start your journey.
- Look critically at your lambs – Conformation, Breed Standard, Size, Temperament
- Decide the best shows for you – Location, your market and timing
- Show Entry Dates, Show Contacts, Show Classes
- Work back to see when you need to make your final selection, how many and when to start halter training
- Contact other breeders who are showing for advice/do you need a mentor?
Upcoming newsletters – equipment, training, marketing materials available, logistics and more!
Profile Eaglenook Wiltipoll Stud: Ruth Miller, Western Australia
"Eaglenook" is Western Australia's oldest Wiltipoll stud and has been a major source of stock to other studs in WA. Ruth came from a Merino background, but in 1995, she explored shedding sheep by starting her own Wiltshire Horn stud. Alongside her stud sheep, Ruth crossed the Wiltshire Horns with other breeds and this started her interest in breeding a polled Wiltshire Horn. At a similar time, some breeders in the eastern states had embarked on the same sort of endeavour. Ruth focused on using British breeds to introduce the poll gene and then later, to improve various other characteristics like hardiness, milk quality and structural correctness. Cheviots, Border Leicesters, White Suffolk and Lincolns were used along with the importation of genetics from New Zealand, which proved to be very worthwhile. A Wiltipoll ram from South Australia was also introduced and this collection of genetic material, including of course the Wiltshire Horn, formed the foundation of the Eaglenook Wiltipolls. Ruth has maintained a number of separate lines within her flock of about 250 ewes and selects her own rams to breed with.
Ruth focuses her attention on breeding stud sheep. She finds there is good demand for Wiltipolls in Western Australia, particularly among hobby farmers and small operators, where their quiet temperament and ease of management make them ideally suited. Commercially, there is a lot of competition between breeds in the shedding market, yet Ruth sees that Wiltipolls offer great meat quality, good flavour and flexibility in marketing as they don't tend to run to fat as quickly as other breeds. In addition, Wiltipolls do well in pastoral conditions in which ewes can rear multiple lambs and have great longevity.
These attributes form part of Ruth's selection of her stud animals. While the first round of culling occurs at lamb marking, culling continues as each animal grows and develops and through adulthood. Eaglenook Wiltipolls must do well on grass, have breed type and be structurally correct. This includes such things as shedding, doing ability in the autumn when feed is scarcest and worm resistance. Black points and good body size are also selected for and maiden ewes are assessed for femininity and again during lambing and lamb rearing.
The Millers have been faithful exhibitors of their sheep, as they see showing as a good form of advertising and it provides a great opportunity to learn. Learning can come through talking to fellow exhibitors, judges and comparing your sheep to sheep of other breeds, especially through interbreed competition. Ruth says there is always something to learn.
Ruth's 3 tips to new breeders of Wiltipolls are as follows:
Firstly, look at as many sheep and studs as you can. Go to shows and look at them there also. Compare animals and then decide which animals you like.
Secondly, don't be afraid to buy older ewes. You may not get as many lambs from them and they may need some more careful management, but you can be confident they have passed a number of rounds of culling and should breed you some quality progeny.
Thirdly, buy the best ram you can afford, that complies to the breed standard. He has the greatest influence over your flock and so his quality is of great significance.
Upcoming Events
Australian Field Day Schedule| 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
| Simon Myers & Debra Brown | DNS, Widgee QLD |
| Scott & Robyn Whyman | Clavering Hill, Robertson NSW |
| Susan McConnel | Cressbrook Station, Toogoolawah QLD |
Current Committee Focus
- Targeted Advertising in Small Farms and Muster Magazine
- Newsletter
- 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
Email: wsba1996@gmail.com