Livestock

Stud strives for excellence

By Sophie Baldwin

Oct 3, 2025

The Starritts from Womboota know a thing or two about breeding Border Leicesters — after all, they have been doing it since 1914.

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The family and their breeding lines have weathered market cycles, droughts, and industry changes and challenges for 111 years.

This has enabled them to deliver traditional excellence with modern genetic science to create great maternal genetics and productive sheep enterprises.

Womboota Border Leicesters, in southern NSW, is also part of SuperBorder — a group of stud breeders across five states who are committed to striving for genetic gain.

To qualify as a SuperBorder, a Border Leicester ram must be above the 50th percentile for the breed based on the BLX cross index.

And some of those SuperBorder genetics went under the hammer on September 25 at the family’s 25th on-farm sale, featuring 80 one-year-old rams and 15 stud-ready ewes.

A top price of $2300 was paid twice.

Buyers included the Griffin family with Elders Yarrawonga, and Quirk Ag with McKean McGregors from Bendigo.

The McGuffick family, Elders clients from Cooma, bought 15 rams.

Some of the Womboota Border Leicesters in the ring. Photo by Sophie Baldwin

Matt O’Connor, branch manager and auctioneer from Elders Echuca, said the sale represented where Merino ewe numbers are, both locally and across the eastern seaboard.

“There is considerable increased processed mutton in the last two years, we are processing them faster than we can replace them and that is reflected in this sale,” Mr O’Connor said.

Malcolm Starritt said the sale was heavily supported by repeat buyers and the family were very pleased with the results.

“Our rams were very buyable and the current maternal ewe price makes our border ram price a very good investment,” Mr Starritt said.

At the Womboota Border Leicesters sale were (from left) Lexie Starritt, Skye Starritt, Lucy Nelson, Cesca Starritt and Wally Starritt. Photo by Sophie Baldwin

Every year the family strives to breed better seed stock and with technology and natural progression, their lines are continually improving.

“Every year we are incorporating more measurement, and we are now micron testing rams,” Mr Starritt said.

“First cross ewes are more of a comeback type which has more value to industry than strong cross breeds.”

He said passed in lots from the sale will be available alongside paddock sales between now and January.

“There are some really good returns and potential returns for sheep in the future and now is a great time to get into them, especially if you are looking to reduce risk and diversify your farm operation.”