Sheep producer Bill Pye died in a light plane crash at Caroonboon near the Victorian border yesterday morning.
Mr Pye established the renowned Calga Dohne stud at Coonamble with his wife Margie in 2002 on the property "Calga".
NSW Police said investigating a fatal light plane crash which occurred at 11am yesterday.
It is understood Mr Pye was mustering on one of his properties, north of Deniliquin, at the time of the crash.
Local police, with the assistance of the Forensic Services Group, are conducting investigations and have notified the Air Traffic Safety Bureau.
In 2012 they purchased an additional 740 special stud Dohne ewes at the Uardry dispersal sale at Hay along with the Uardry trademark.
While these sheep were run separately to the existing Calga Dohne stud, the combined ewe numbers of 2240 from the Calga and Uardry studs, made the operation one of the biggest Dohne breeding flocks in Australia.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
