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With interest continuing to grow in the breed, the Wiltipoll Sheep Breeders Association is expecting strong support when it hosts its 11th annual sale at Gulgong Showground on February 8.
Buyers from throughout NSW, Victoria and Queensland are expected to purchase the 47 Wiltipolls up for sale, which includes 18 rams, 19 registered ewes and 10 commercial ewes.
Wiltipoll Sheep Breeders Association NSW sub-committee chairman Ian Hopwood and Loris Denyer, Reavesdale Wiltipoll Stud, Murringo, are one of six vendors selling at Gulgong and expect prices to be similar to last year's event where the top ram sold for $1200.
"Overall we think the prices will be similar to last year's," Ms Denyer said.
"Ewe prices should be ok, but we're not sure about the rams.
"It is hard to say because you can't be sure how the drought has affected each farm."
Ms Denyer said the popularity of the breed was growing, which could help prices.
"Wiltipoll are becoming more and more popular, not only for smaller farmers but larger commercial operations as well," she said.
"Everyone is now finding they are such an easy-care animal.
"Many operations are now putting Wiltipoll rams over their Merino ewes.
"It doesn't affect the wool quality and gives the sheep a cleaner breach and underbelly.
"Meat producers are crossing Wiltipoll with Dorpers.
"It gives lambs the longer leg of the Wiltipoll while getting the larger body of the Dorper."
Dan Cornally, Newbury, Millthorpe, is a relatively new operator when it comes to Wiltipoll, purely running Angus cattle before three years ago.
He has a flock of 250 breeder Wiltipoll ewes on about 140 hectares with lambs dropping in August each year with weaners usually sold by Christmas.
"I went to Wiltipolls because they are easier to run and need less effort to drought feed than cattle," he said.
"I grew up around Merinos and health wise, comparatively, Wiltipolls are extremely tough.
"I look at them as little cows compared with wool sheep.
"We are a little operation and don't want the hassle of all the things needed for a wool operation.
"I've bought the majority of my rams through Ian and Loris at Reavesdale Stud.
"I am looking for size and frame in my lambs, and their rams are delivering that."
The February 8 sale begins with inspections at 9am.
The Wiltipolls go under the hammer at 11.30am with McDonald Lawson, Mudgee, returning as the selling agents. There will be a kiosk and toilet facilities.