Chandpara Southdowns

By Andrew Sellars-Jones
The Chandpara Southdown Stud was officially founded in 1988, but its founder, Andrew Sellars-Jones, began breeding Southdowns way back in 1974. Over the years the ewe flock has been kept small, with culling being heavy so as to concentrate on quality. This, in combination with sourcing the best genetics available in Australia and New Zealand via artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs, has resulted in long, leaner sheep with excellent growth rates and muscling.

Every year since 1992 all yearling rams have been weighed and scanned for fat depth and eye muscle area. While not replacing the studmaster’s keen eye, these objective measurements have certainly aided in the selection of the type of sheep that today’s lamb producer expects.

The stud regularly shows at The Australian Sheep and Wool Show in July and The Southdown National Show at Royal Geelong in October, plus The Royal Melbourne Show in September where many first places and championships have been achieved, and also Regional Shows where the title of Interbreed Champion has usually been awarded.

The Chandpara Annual Production Sale is held on property in October each year where Stud Ewes and Rams and Flock Rams are available. Inspection of the sheep is welcome at any time of year. Of course the flock is Brucellosis Accredited Free and has the highest ranking of MN3V in the Johnes Market Assurance Program.

The Southdown remains the supreme terminal sire for producing easy-birth, fast maturing, uniform and brilliant tasting prime lambs.