About Waverley Downs
Waverley Downs Merino Stud was founded in 1985 by Kevin and Jane Leader based on Merryville Bloodlines, using stud ewes from Bocoble Stud, Mudgee and Westvale Stud, Wollun and a stud sire from Merryville Stud Boorowa.
The poll stud was registered in October 1992, using Waverley Downs bred ewes and poll sires from Emu Hill, Inverell.
Waverley Downs Merino Stud was purchased from Kevin and Jane Leader in October 1998 by Sean and Judith Ballinger.
Blood Lines
Breeding Objectives
The Waverley Downs Horn Merino stud is based on Merryville genetics.
Some of the early rams introduced were from Bocoble and Wurrook followed by Langdene while consistently using our own top performing rams and rams purchased from Merriville.
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The Poll Stud was based on Emu Hill and Quamby Park Blood lines we then changed the focus of the polls to improve staple length and have plainer bodies so rams from Well Gully were introduced followed by Glenlea Park and more recently Hamilton Run genetics.
Our main focus is breading productive merino sheep. The main profit drivers being fleece weight and quality as well as weaning percentages. We also put a lot of emphasis structure and ease of care with a zero tolerance of flystrike and fleece rot.
We are always striving to improve the frame size and bone structure of our sheep a long with wool style and softness.
We also select for fertility and maternal instincts.
Performance
Our ewes have been performing consistently well, in 2023 achieving 114% lambs weaned to ewes joined then averaging 5.7kg per head of 17.5 micron wool when shorn in January 2024 our hogget ewes cut an average of 6.1kg per head.