| These New Zealand
sheep, although they were successful in increasing the weight
of wool, lacked style. The Kelso stud masters next turned
to Scotland, the original home of the breed. They imported
a number of rams from leading Scottish breeders with the aim
of improving both style and bone. The wool was not quite
as heavy; but when blended with second generation homebred
sheep, these importations were quite successful in producing
the desired aim.
It has been one of the great fountainheads
of top quality Border Leicester sheep and has exerted a tremendous
influence for the breed improvement throughout Australia by
making available each year a choice selection of true breeding
sires and top quality ewes.
The founder of the stud, the late George
Starritt, O.B.E., always maintained that "You
would never see a weak headed animal turn out to be a good
sire. To reproduce any animal true to type, a good head
is essential." This policy has always
been maintained and is evident in the flock today.
Weekly Times 1954 (at the conclusion of an
article on Border Leicester breeding in Australia):
"My own opinion is that because he is not
in Merino sheep and because he is a quiet retiring personality,
Mr. George Starritt has largely been overlooked for what he
is - one of the few truly great stud masters and improvers
of Australian sheep."
Pastoral Review (conclusion of article on
history of Border Leicester breeding in Australia):
"The chief architect of the Australian Border
Leicester was undoubtedly Mr. George Starritt, whose genius
as a breeder has evolved a type suitable for crossing with
the Merino to produce the fat lamb mother so popular today
and the basis of prosperity over such a wide section of our
primary economy."
George was later to be awarded the O.B.E.
for his services to the sheep breeding industry.
A number of rams imported from the flock
R. J. Anderson, New Zealand, helped to fix a solid framed,
bulky fleece in the Kelso sheep. In particular, the
progeny of the Anderson ram, Kauana Majesty, showed a better
carcase and heavier wool. No less than 12 sons of Majesty's
progeny won championships at Royal or major sheep shows.
In the period 1920 to 1946, Kelso had the
enviable record of winning the most successful exhibitor award
at the Melbourne Royal Show on all but five occasions; and
in these five years it was placed second most successful exhibitor.
From this time on, many families were established
within the flock, enabling Kelso to fix an even type.
From time to time top sheep have been purchased from such
sources as Thornbury Park, R.R. King's Crymelon Dispersal
Sale, Pethick, Campaspe, Black Gate and the Oaks Studs.
Many of these purchases have featured Kelso blood prominently
in their pedigrees. The stud had always been conducted
on strict lines. with certain objects in view. One of
the main goals has been to breed a type of sheep most suitable
and profitable for the commercial breeder; a Border Leicester
ram to achieve the best results when crossed with a Merino
ewe. This has made the Border Leicester famous in Australia
and reflected in the popularity and success of the Kelso sheep
when the greatest majority of stud flocks in Australia carry
this Kelso blood.
By this influence and achievement KELSO is
known as "The Parent Stud of Australia".
Ray Starritt was awarded the O.B.E. for his
services to the sheep industry, in 1977. He had by then
served as both State (Victoria) and Federal President of the
Australian Society of Breeders of British Sheep.
Albury was recognised as one of Australia's
most important sheep shows. In 1981, being the centenary
of Border Leicesters in Australia, the breed became a feature
at Albury. At that show where there was exceptionally
strong competition, Kelso emerged as the most successful exhibitor,
gaining Champion Ram and Reserve Champion Ram. At the
Melbourne Border Leicester Centenary Sheep Show, Kelso won
Champion Ram. The first prize yearling ram at both these
shows, Kelso Jonson 3rd, later sold for the record prize of
$7,200 at the 34th Annual Kelso Sale, held on the property.
In the strong Border Leicester section of
134 entries at the 1990 A.S.B.A. show in Melbourne, Kelso
won: 3 Firsts, 3 Seconds, and 2 Thirds, Junior, Senior and
Grand Champion Ewes, Most Successful Exhibitor. |
