Ryeland sheep breeders continue family legacy to preserve rare breed

A generational Ryeland breeder's stud sheep received top accolades at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show.

Andrew Wilkins, Geelong, took home the sash for both champion ewe and champion ram for the heritage-listed breed.

Mr Wilkins' Malung stud is one of 22 Ryeland studs in Australia.

He was among the two Ryeland exhibitors this year, along with Robert Mitchell, Lockington.

"It's nice to have some competition this year," Mr Wilkins said.

Mr Mitchell was awarded the most successful exhibitor with his Ronobri stud, which his father established in 1948.

Mr Mitchell said he came back to exhibit at the show after sitting out last year.

"The last time I exhibited, I was the only Ryeland exhibitor," he said.

"I decided I would enter six Ryelands this year because the show is celebrating 100 years of British breeds.

"Back in the day, there would be 200 Ryelands at the Melbourne Royal Show, so they're a bit of a forgotten breed."

Mr Wilkins' family established the Malung stud in 1958.

"My parents were the only people who exported a Ryeland sheep to England in 1969," he said.

"They're deceased now, and I've taken it over to continue the tradition.

"I've got the genetics still going from the early breeding, and I've still got some of the semen right in storage, so I can use that if I need to.

"The aim is to try and breed the best sheep, which is not easy."

Judging the Ryelands was Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association president Ben Campbell.

Mr Campbell said it was an easy decision when it came to crowning the champion ewe.

"The moment that ewe walked in, I knew it was a clear winner," he said.

"She holds that feminine shape, which is really important.

"You can't fault her, she's just a beautiful ewe."

Mr Campbell said the Ryeland breed was a "very underrated, but also a very quality breed".

"Their meat yield, meat quality and faster growth rate puts them right at the top of the meat breed," he said.

"It's important that the breeds are kept pure to retain that quality."