About
The Kirkdale Southdown Stud is the second oldest registered Southdown stud in Australia and was founded in 1884 by WG Hogarth on the property “Kirkdale Lodge” at Western Junction, Evandale, Tasmania.
WS Hogarth (Stewart) was the main driver and influence of the stud in the early to mid 1900’s. His son Gray & grandson Stuart were the custodians into the 21st century. During this time, the stud had a very successful show career and regularly sold sheep to breeders in every Australian state except the Northern Territory. 1973 saw great changes in the Southdown breed when a group of Tasmanians, the first Australians, visited New Zealand. Stuart Hogarth was a member of this group and purchased 2 rams. These two sheep along with sheep purchased by other members of the group were the foundation of the Southdown sheep we see today. The stud, whilst retaining its prefix, now resides at “Ridgeside”, Evandale under the watchful eye of Andrew Hogarth (WG’s (the founder) great, great grandson) and his partner, Aneika and their two boys Cooper (9) & Jack (7). The Kirkdale flock has a focus on producing structurally sound, smooth shouldered, long bodied and well-muscled rams with the aim of producing easy lambing and fast growing lambs for the prime lamb industry. The flock currently consists of just over 140 ewes. Kirkdale Southdowns returned to the show ring in 2015 after a long absence and has since enjoyed some encouraging success. 2018 would have to have been Kirkdale's most successful year in the show ring at the National Southdown Show, Geelong Royal, coming away with the Champion & Reserve Champion Southdown Ram but also the Champion Interbreed Ram and Reserve Champion Sheep of the show. In 2019, Kirkdale sold a ram to Blair & Sally Roberston of Merrydowns in New Zealand and have also been lucky enough to have sold semen into New Zealand from one of their leading sires 160206. Just recently, they have purchased two new stud sires in partnership with Nedelle Downs Southdown Stud, from Fairbank Stud, with one ram reaching a sale top of $11,000. They look forward to using him and seeing what he produces for the stud. Whilst the last 15 years haven’t been easy, Kirkdale Southdowns have worked hard to get their flock where it is now and breeding top quality Southdown rams that feature all of the attributes the stud is aiming for which include, great carcass quality, easy lambing and ideal for ewe lamb matings. All rams are grass fed, Brucellosis accredited free and OJD vaccinated. |
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