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HistoryIan and Helen Grays Graythorn Poll Dorset Stud was Founded in 1965. Principally with genetics from Ian & Bev Bucknells’ Yaralla Stud Maryborough Vic where eventually a revolutionary ram for the times Yaralla 65/80 “ Robbie” was brought for$ 8,000. This Ram had the desirable attribute of “smooth shoulders” These giving the ram a “wedge shape” instead of the traditional heavier front shoulders. The advantage of smooth front shoulders is proven to be easier Lambing. Subsequently “Robbie” was used to cause this shape change in the flock. A heavy culling programe began and has been maintained to ensure Breed type & correctness – ewes & rams must be sound, open faced with thick ears, long neck, smooth shoulders, plenty of hindquarter muscling, thick bone to carry muscle, no blemishes, good Downs type wool, high tail setting and an even top line. ANOTHER step forward in 1980 to 1989 was created by Graythorns’ involvement in the early days of Artificial Insemination of sheep. Together with the then Elders Riverina Genetics, vets and Graythorn learnt much over this period. Graythorn also exported semen and live ewes and rams to Peru, South America. A World First was created when Graythorn purchased a younger than 6mth Ram lamb for $10,000 from JA&MY Gilmore Tattykeel Stud, Oberon NSW in 1983. Promotor” as this lamb was known, excelled in early maturity. With “Robbie”, “Promotor” their progeny rams and a half brother Tattykeel ram (another “Leader son”) a very sound base was set in the Graythorn breeding program. In 1985 a “Promotor” progeny Graythorn 150-84 was Reserve Champion Ram at The Royal Melbourne Show. Two Ram purchases in the late 80’s from the leading Eloura Stud “ Big John” an extremely well muscled ram and the Top Price Ram at Eloura Dispersal Sale 435–88 for $ 14,000 (1st in Pairs at Royal Melbourne Show that year) gave the Graythorn Stud another lift in size and muscling . Tattykeel Choice 1112-02, $4,000 & a $1000 Tattykeel ewe 952-94 combined to grace Graythorn with 200- 96 this ram was like a rubber stamp over our flock and produced some excellent ewes and rams. Stud ram progeny sold well and the ewes went on to breed excellently! EVEN today many of our top sheep pedigrees go back to these foundations. In the early 2000’s Glory, Deepdene & Punchgrove Studs Genetics were introduced, each bringing their own attributes – Stretch and height were added to our flock while maintaining muscle and correctness. These rams were introduced with careful consideration of their pedigrees. In a stunning move for the top Genetics in Australia, Semen was acquired in the Shellal Stud, Koriot, bred “Elvis” 230-02. This ram later sold to one of the top Studs in Australia for $20,000 J&K Prentice, Kurralea Stud NSW.
Graythorn has rocketed into the meatier territory with progeny from “Elvis” winning Supreme Intebreed Champion Ewe 2005, Graythorn 250-04, Royal Melbourne Show. (Pictured on home page) also as mentioned on the first page semen has been sold from an “Elvis” progeny Graythorn 45-05 (only a ram lamb, 2nd at Royal Melbourne Show) to Tattykeel Stud, Oberon NSW, Closeup Stud, Finley & Widgem Stud, Berrigan NSW.
Tattykeel “SUPREME” 550-04, named for winning Supreme Interbreed Champion Ram at the Royal Melbourne Show at just 12 months of age in 2004, was purchased jointly by Shellal & Graythorn Studs for $23,000 and together with “ Elvis” is performing MAGIC in our flock. A full brother sold at a later date for $30,000.
Graythorns ewe team at 8 months of age are developing beyond our expectations, see for yourself!
The ewes and rams in the preceding 2 photos are progeny from both Shellal “Elvis” and Tattykeel “Supreme”. We are looking forward to showing them at Bendigo ASBA in July 2006 and Melbourne Royal in September 2006 as well as at regional competitions during the year. We have used PRIMESCAN to measure Weight, Eye Muscle Depth, Eye Muscle Area and Fat Depth in our rams the month of our Production Sale for the last 7 years, in September. Data means nothing without information and explanation. These figures are for individual rams, on the day of sale, and the animal you see can be relied on to breed true to type! Thus demonstrating the sound genetic principals used by Graythorn Stud. The following graphs show the improvement in these figures,which terminal sire purchasers can use in addition to their own physical assessment in selection of rams for specific breeding purposes. Over the years our flock ram buyers have been 40% Merino, 60% 1st cross ewe terminal Sire users gradually changing to 80% Merino, 20% 1st cross terminal sire users. Their successes with Graythorn rams are recorded in Studs, show ring, sale yards and over the hooks where more meat reaps the rewards.
Graythorn Stud is Brucellosis Accredited, Foot rot Free Is Vaccinating after testing in the MAP program for 6 yrs " PURCHASE QUALTY PRODUCE QUALITY "We at Graythorn look forward to some contact with readers of this site by phone,e-mail or in person. Regards Ian & Helen
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Contact Ian or Helen Gray on (03) 5889 5149 or
graythorn@harboursat.com.au
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