History of the Keri-Keri's
Right from the start the Dowling family have approached Merino sheep
breeding from a different angle to most breeders. Back in 1926, Ray
Dowling went to South Australia and purchased the biggest rams he could
buy from Kalabity Station, near Broken Hill, with a view to breed sheep
that would survive, and thrive in marginal climatic conditions.
By 1956 Keri-Keri was producing market topping sale ewes (aged 1.5
years) and they still do that today.
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Market toppers - 1956. 1.5 y/o sale ewes.
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Market Toppers - 2003. 1.5 y/o sale
ewes.
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Market Toppers - 2004. 1.5 y/o sale ewes.
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Market
toppers @ $151 per head, 2005
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Peter Dowling
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"The Keri-Keri stud was started in 1962, with ewes
from our flock and rams from Moorna (Parent stud of Kalabity). At
this time we started to lamb down most of our ewes on irrigated
pasture and saw that we were getting huge lambing percentages - over
150% in some mobs, and these lambs developed very rapidly. We knew
we had a superior milking sheep. Through the 70's to the mid 80's we
selected for milking sheep based on our criteria of Survival,
Reproduction, Wool and Meat. (In that order)".
"The downside of this method is less attractive
wool, and during the 80's and early nineties we started putting the
better wools together, and made some significant gains in lowering
the micron, and actually increasing the wool cut at the same time,
whilst still maintaining all the other desirable attributes such as
a large wide frame, survivability, high growth rate and high
reproduction".
"We ended up with a breed of sheep that is superior in
wool cut and quality in the medium wool range, a superior meat
sheep, and a highly fertile animal that is immensly profitable not
only for Keri-Keri, but for clients as well".
"It's pleasing to see Keri-Keris' clients' sheep
doing so well in other districts both in NSW and interstate. There are
always new and exciting sires coming through the pipeline."
Peter
Dowling |
Growing out our maiden ewes in the 2004 drought.
Peter & Sue retire
On the first of July 2006 Peter & Sue Dowling retired from
Keri-Keri. In contrast to his 70 years on the Hay plains Peter is
now living in the River Murray region of Moama.
Peter was
actually born on Keri-Keri and Sue moved here once they were
married.
Peter's lateral thinking regarding sheep breeding was
remarkably ahead of its time and he had a great eye for being able
to pick, & cull, ewes on the drafting gate to ensure that the Keri-Keri
traits of fertility, survival & reproduction continued before even looking
at their wool.
Peter and Sue (& Millie their boxer) can be
contacted on (03) 5480 2492.
After a few years living off-property, whilst still operating at Keri-Keri, Andrew and Tarsh moved back onto the property in 2006. |
Peter & Sue Dowling
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Getting around 60,000 acres used to take much
longer.
Peter on the front Keri-Keri drive.
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Andrew Dowling with some of his stud
ewes.
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Historic Keri-Keri Homestead
Keri-Keri is located between Hay and Balranald.
Visitors to the district may be interested in visiting the Australian
Shearers Hall of Fame at Hay. Their website is http://www.shearoutback.com.au/
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The historic Keri-Keri
homestead
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