Billa Burra Burra Poll Merino Stud

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

Billa Burra Burra sheep are based on 238 Manderley stud ewes purchased in 1979, and the 500+ Tara Park ewes acquired in the 1980’s and 90’s. Also influential were 75 Linthorpe stud ewes of uniform and ringmaster families added between 1987 and 1990, and 38 Merryville ewes purchased in 1989. Also influential were 40 Wonga stud ewes were purchased in the 1980’s. 10 Manderley rams have been used in the stud with Man.6 the most influential. About 10 Tara Park rams were borrowed through the 1980’s and 1990’s, with Joe and his father, Gruber, having the most influence. In 1989, an Arabar Poll ram (PP) was used. He proved to be a sire of great stud quality.

In 1988, we began an annual AI program and by 2000 we were performing all our own laparoscope AI. In 2024, we  progressed to breeding all poll merinos. Our current breeding program is building on Hindi (PP) and his descendants who are epigenetically adapted to our tablelands environment. They consistently breed good doing, early maturing, heavy boned sheep with good feet and soft free skins, quality tablelands wools. We are continuing to benchmark our sheep by using the top rams in the industry with our A.I. program.

BREEDING & MANAGEMENT

We have always bred big sheep with good rich heavy wools. We select for temperament, doing ability, heavy bone, good feet and soft skins, with pure deep crimped lustrous fibre.

Lambing percentage is the biggest profit driver for our business, and we are working to achieve 150% weaning rate from our stud ewes. All ewes rearing twins are run separately on our better paddocks. All lambs have been mothered, tagged and recorded since 1979.

Breeding ewes are not classed for age, and the top ewes remain for as long as they are sound. Culling occurs at lambing, shearing, and post-weaning.

In 2026 we have joined 850 stud ewes, including 130 ewes A.I'd to our own rams. All lambs for 2026 are due late August-late September.

Our business is run using holistic thinking. We currently have 118 paddocks on 350 hectares, and practice timed grazing. We are excited to be practicing regenerative agricultural principles, and we are excited to be breeding productive and profitable merinos. We offer a free classing service to our clients.