Hillcroft Farms Poll Dorset Stud Flock 1972

Dawson and Greta Bradford founded the Poll Dorset stud, in 1972.

Stud Foundation

Dawson, having been involved in his father's stud since 1960, purchased the best ewes available from around Australia to form the nucleus of their new flock. These ewes, along with his father's flock which was amalgamated into the Hillcroft Farms flock upon his death in 1977, have been bred to the best genetics available, in an effort to achieve high performing offspring for sale to other prime lamb producers, as well as for using in their own commercial cross merino flock.

LambPlan

The flock has been a participant in LambPlan since 1990 and has achieved outstanding success in all measured traits. "Hillcroft Farms" is one of the highest rating flocks across all meat terminal sire breeds across Australia. High selection emphasis is placed on the traits that have the most commercial influence, these being growth rate and muscling, whilst maintaining leanness in the carcass at desirable levels.

Other Traits

Body length is regarded as essential for all breeding stock and all sires are physically measured for both total length of body and length of hindquarters. This measurement, along with recorded birth weight, is considered essential for ease of lambing in the broad acre, minimum care, style of Australian farming. "Hillcroft Farms" are continuing to strive for extra growth and muscling, and have identified a number of strong carriers of these genes in their flock.

As a result of high selection pressure for muscle, birth weights have been held at a very acceptable level, whilst growth rates continue to climb to industry best levels.

We will continue to combine these genetics, as well as trialling outside genetics, in an endeavour to keep improving stock in the major commercial traits effecting profit in lamb production. Other traits, such as fertility, soundness of feet and legs, wool type and freedom from excess wool on the face are selected for on an ongoing basis to ensure that we not only produce a high performing sheep, but also one that is very functional and suitable to a wide range of environments throughout Australia.

Annual Production Sale

An annual on farm production sale is held on the second Tuesday of October each year, where stud sires and ewes, along with the top indexed commercial sires for the drop are sold by auction.  All sheep offered have pedigree and performance details displayed in the catalogue, which is available at the sale and also just prior to each sale in the selling and catalogue details section of this website.  A private selection of rams and ram lambs is available throughout the year.

Semen Sales

Semen is also sold from selected sires in the stud and details appear under "Semen Sales" on our website. For the latest details of semen available, please contact us direct.

Brucellosis Accredited Free l  Foot Rot Free l Johne’s Vaccinated 8 point status for 2007 drop