About
Over 100 years in the Merino industry
Haddon Rig is a mixed-farming aggregation located 20km North West of Warren, NSW. Founded in 1882 as a Merino stud, Haddon Rig is managed by George Falkiner, his daughter Olivia and their management team. In 2016, the Falkiner family celebrated 100 years of ownership. As one of Australia’s premier Merino studs, core values of quality and integrity are at the heart of everything we do. On top of Merino breeding, we farm approximately 9000 ha of mixed drylands crops as well as up to 800 ha cotton.
Haddon Rig produces 7000 stud ewes and 2000 commercial ewes each year. A further 600 horned rams and 600 poll rams are bred each year, with the best of these offered for sale at the on-property auction and sale each September. We also run up to 1500 commercial cattle and trade opportunistically.
Haddon Rig’s mission is to breed productive, fertile and high-yielding merino sheep perform consistently for our clients. A lot of lambs. A lot of wool. A lot of meat. We achieve this through selective breeding from Haddon Rig genetics, utilising industry best practice in nutrition, husbandry and classing and combining the use of ASBV data, an extensive Artificial Insemination (AI) program and DNA testing.
HISTORY OF HADDON RIG
In 1873, James Richmond bought Haddon Rig, 271,000 acres (109,671 ha) on the Macquarie River near Warren devoid of improvements. Between visits to England in 1875, 1877 and 1878 he built a 66-stand woolshed, fenced the property, and put in many tanks and dams before he stocked it with sheep. In 1876 he began to convert it to freehold. In 1882, planning to breed his own rams, he founded a stud with 30 Peppin Rambouillet merino rams (originally from France) and 1900 aged ewes bought from Austin and Millear at Wanganella, a Falkiner property.
He later paid high prices for another 8 rams and 2500 stud ewes from the same stud and in 1884 paid 410 guineas for the champion Wool King. James Richmond opposed the 1890 shearing strike and refused to shear on union terms. Despite a guard of 30 policemen at the homestead the Haddon Rig woolshed was burnt with some 2000 ewes. Richmond brought shearers from New Zealand to complete shearing. In 1910 Richmond was deeply satisfied when Sir Samuel McCaughey bought all the sheep Haddon Rig could sell him. In September 1916 he sold Haddon Rig to F. S. Falkiner's son, Franc Falkiner.
When Franc Falkiner purchased Haddon Rig in 1916, the genetic beginnings of a Merino stud had already been established by James Richmond. Falkiner sold the outside block, improved the homestead's water-supply and consolidated an 80,000-acre (32,375 ha) property. His concentration on burly, robust, plain-bodied merinos was rewarded with successes at the Sydney Sheep Show (1922, 1923) and the Sydney ram sales in 1924. At Foxlow, Bungendore, bought as drought relief pasture in 1920, and at Haddon Rig, he also bred Red Poll Hereford cattle and Percheron horses.
It is from Richmond’s original flock that the Haddon Rig stud evolved - managed and classed selectively and carefully - so that "like begets like", and the distinctive consistency and quality of the genetics have carried on right through to the present day. The stud breeds 1200 large-framed, heavy cutting, soft bright woolled rams with hardy constitutions each year - ideal for wool and meat production and the differing demands of sheep grazing operations throughout Australia. Body size, frame and hardiness are vital to the sheep breeder. This is not only to ensure that the Merino ewe will produce maximum wool cut and lambs but also that the crossbred sheep will mature early and yield well, and will survive in very hostile environments. In 2000, the emphasis changed again to meet the demands of the meat market. Size, fertility and early maturing sheep carcasses became a priority, so the breeding programme followed suit.
Some stud achievements of note:
• Highest price aggregate at Sydney Ram Sales (pre 1960)
• World Record Peppin Price $180,000.00 (1988)
• First cloned sheep in the world
• First privately owned artificial breeding centre on property
• First video sheep sale in Australia
• First bloodline marketing association (in co-operation with HR client base).
OUR PURPOSE
Our purpose, through scientific breeding techniques, objective measurement and sustainable practices, is to breed genetics that meet the future economic, social and environmental demands of the wool and meat industry.
Genetics
We have the long term future of the merino industry in our sights. Our genetic measurement and subsequent combinations enable us to identify and choose animals with desirable traits including superior fertility, meat production, wool quality and a resilience to exteme Australian weather conditions. The Falkiner family and team’s commitment to genetic progress over the last 100 years has led to greater consistency and accuracy in the progeny they sell.
FUTURE
Our commitment to the future of the merino industry is shown through applying best practice to everything we do at Haddon Rig. We work to minimise the impact on the environment and promote best practices in genetic progress, animal husbandry, land management and human resources. The passion of the Falkiner family and Haddon Rig team reflects the long-term commitment they have to the agricultural industry and the wider community it supports.
EXPERTISE
Our team of industry experts brings extensive knowledge and experience to customer service and the breeding program. We work closely with producers to provide guidance on breeding and management practices that maximise productivity and profitability. Our expertise in breeding and management enables us to provide our clients with the support they need to succeed.
