Stud History

Robyn and Darryl Carter have been growing superfine wool since 1946 on Whyworry Park situated on the Kingstown road 5km from Uralla.

The property is highly improved with pastures consisting of phlaris, rye grass, cocksfoot, fescue, white and subclover with some annual native grasses. It has 850mm rainfall and annual fertiliser application.

In 1973 50 stud ewes and 1 ram were purchased from Shalimar Park (Flock No 2425. From 1984 to 2001, 1 to 3 Stud rams were purchased annually from Grathlyn. In 1998 a son of Ringmaster 35th was purchased from Merryville for $7000. Whyworry Park purchased a quarter share in a Brilliant Ringmaster cross ram from Merryville sold for $15000 in feb 2001 at Armidale. Average adult ewe flock micron over the last 5 years is 17.7 with a yield of 75.0%. Average hogget fibre diameter is 16.7. Breeding:

Since 1997 we have engaged Dr. John Lax as our Animal Breeding Advisor and Wool Quality specialist. John has over 30 years experience in Sheep Breeding, objective measurement, skin and wool follicle research. The Breeding program and management are clearly focused using both objective and subjective information for breeding decisions.

The stud aims to provide highly profitable genetics by providing highly fertile sheep with good bone structure, constitution and frame size suitable for a variety of environments with heavy wool cuts whilst resistant to fleece rot and flystrike. Rams are not used until at least 18months of age as we do not believe tests at 7-10 months of age are accurate for sire use. Stud sires are mated separately. Any introduced rams are tested over a range of ewes to ensure we maintain a stable genetic base and appropriate skin type and style before being widely used in the stud. Visual traits considered include good frame size, lack of skin and wool pigmentation, with good wool coverage on points, flank and legs to ensure big high quality bellies, broad chests, wide bodies, deep sides, heavy bone, good feet, good shoulders, and pasterns with an ability to perform under high stocking rates with resistance to fleece rot and flystrike.