Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets

Our people are what make our business special!

Siblings Ruth, Isabele and Floyd, together with Pete (Isabele's husband) are the drivers behind the vision and the achievements.

We all work together with our permanent team members Stacie and Leah, who are critical to keeping everything humming along.

Supported by our technical contractors who come on farm for specific activities, and our stock and station agents who do an amazing job of marketing our livestock, and the people in our wider community, we all work towards our goal of a better lamb industry,

We want to acknowledge everyone who makes our production schedule successful, year after year.

Our History

Established in 1965 at Bairnsdale (Victoria), Ridgehaven was founded with the introduction of 25 ewes from Braywood Stud (Cobram) and 23 ewes from Denver Echuca Park Stud (Echuca), and a ram from Valma Stud (Tasmania). 

A location move in 1993 to Cudal was a major turning point for the stud, enabling it to increase the number of rams produced, and making it's mark in the major lamb production area of the Central West of NSW.

The stud was founded by Ron and Jessie Legge, as has been carried on by daughters Ruth Klingner, Isabele Roberts and son Floyd Legge.

Sadly Ron passed away in 2007, but his legacy remains in the breeding knowledge and skills he shared with his family.

Jessie was a profound influence on her family and wider community. Her generosity  and warm welcomes were shown in the cups of tea and scones that always showed up at the sheep yards and shearing shed. Jessie passed away in 2021.

Our Breeding Principles

Our breeding programs are designed with the end in mind, so setting a defined target is the most important action. The basic purpose of the Poll Dorset breed is to provide the genetics for growth, carcase shape and yield, ease of management for the production system, and good eating quality to the consumer. This means there are a number of production traits as well as carcase traits that need to be balanced.

The performance measurement that we do in the stud program as well as the research flock, describes how the lambs perform on farm, and these phenotypes together with ASBVs and genomics, provide the knowledge to use the genetic building blocks we have in our stud.

Visual traits such as structural soundness, carcase conformation, wool quality and breed type, are strictly classed before ewes enter the breeding flock, or rams are sold into industry. The standards of these visual traits are critical to maintain as they underpin the animal's value in many ways.

We introduce outside genetics when necessary, and select from other stud programs that align with our breeding targets. 

The breeding program target that we hold firm, is a productive balance of genetics that provide profitability and efficiency to the lamb producer, the meat processor and a delicious eating experience for the consumer.

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