Articles

The American Southdown Breeders' Association website has an excellent article on selecting Southdown Sheep, it can be found at www.southdownsheep.org/selection.html

Muster 4th April 2005

BOOKAAR Southdown Stud stepped up to the winners circle in 2004/5, with a Ram called ROMEO wining Champion at Colac, Daylesford, Teyendara and Heytsbury Shows, along with a 1st at the Berwick Southdown Feature Show. Also a Ewe known as 20/20 won Supreme Champion of All Breeds at Berwick Feature Show as well as Champion at Warrnambool Show and Reserve Champion at Geelong. 20/20 has won 18 championship ribbons throughout Victoria and NSW for the Bookaar Stud.
Bookaar was founded in 1978. It took 4 years before winning their first prize a forth place. However this all changed after purchasing a Ewe from the Clear Hills Stud and mateing her to a Southern Pastures Ram, this produced 20/20 and introduced a high standard of maternal influence within the stud. This family is currently breeding many of the Bookaar Show Sheep. A close affiliation with Southern Pastures Stud has also proven to be an outstanding success.

SOUTHERN PASTURES Southdown Stud has also had an outstanding year.
At The Melbourne Royal Show winning twelve 1st places, Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Ewe as well as The Most Successful Southdown Breeder.
At Geelong, seven 1st places, Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Ewe and Most Successful Southdown Exhibitor. Along with many more prizes at Warrnambool, Colac, Daylesford, Berwick and Heytsbury Shows.
The strong demand for Southdown Flock Rams this past year from Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania saw a total clearance of 152 rams depart Southern Pastures. Unable to satisfy industry requirement, Geoff had to refer buyers to other Southdown Stud Breeders. Demand was so great that many orders were unable to be met.
This year Southern Pastures filled an order for their third shipment of semen to the UK. For export they have dispatched SP201/02, Champion ASB Bendigo and B321/02 Reserve Champion Melbourne Royal 2004. The larger style Australian Southdown has found favour within the UK.

Southdowns Fair Well in Heytsbury Prime Lamb Competition;
This competition run by Heytsbury A&P society, sponsored by the Coles Supermarket Chain attracted 171 lambs entries. Lambs were sourced from Southwestern Victoria and South Australia.
Judged by Laurie Foster, a Prime Lamb Specialist.
On the Hoof
-Class A; 1st K Luderman, 3rd R.Cowley.
-Class B; lst G & N Baker 2nd R. Cowley
Judged by Andrew Hayes, Coles Supermarket.
On the Hook
-Class A; 2nd R. Cowley, 3rd G & N Baker.
-Class B; 3rd G & N Baker.

Clear Hills and Southern Pastures Studs have acquired semen for use in 2005 and 2006, from the World Record Priced Southdown Ram Tasvic Downs 4/03, NZ$16,000, at the Canterbury Stud Ram and Ewe Fair, New Zealand 2005.
This very impressive Ram has exceptional measurements; Weight 127.5 kg, Eye Muscle Depth 52mm, Eye Muscle Width 102mm, Eye Muscle Area 40.84cm2, Fat Depth 9mm, and he was only showing his lambs teeth.
Show results include Best Southdown Ram Hogget and Reserve Champion Ram, New Zealand Royal Show Invercargil 2004. 1st Interbreed Meat Ram Hogget, lst Food & Fibre Trifecta and the Winner of the Alliance Trophy Champion Meat Breed Ram Hogget Canterbury 2004.