ANDREW Scott is not new to the industry of breeding poll dorsets having started at the very young age of nine and has since gone on to become one of the Australia’s top breeders.

One of Andrew’s grandfathers purchased 23 young poll dorset breeding ewes - giving them to the young lad to start what has become his life-long career.

His other grandfather was a breeder of Merino sheep so this was a change, and a challenge, for the young Andrew to see what he could make of his first flock.

Farmer caught up with Andrew following the judging of the sheep at the Gundagai P&S show in February.

Andrew’s knowledge of sheep was put to the test and as he was asked to judge the Merino section of the show.

“This is my first time judging merinos,” he said “but I think I have done alright.

“I found it hard because with the poll dorsets it is more on structure and meat whereas with the merinos it is different, more to the wool side of it.

"I have found it quite good though.

“The quality of the sheep – the sheep that I have judged here - will be the leading sheep at every show in the country.

“So this was a good opportunity for me,” Andrew said.

Both main Merino studs that showed were from Yass and Harden – just up the road from Gundagai.

Andrew said he always wanted to go down the path of breeding Merinos but the grandfather that purchased his first poll dorsets changed that direction.

“Poll dorsets have always been the number one sire over the years,” Andrew said.

“We have gradually built up to what started with 23 ewes to now being one of the biggest studs for the poll dorsets in Australia.

“So we breed - between us and the boys who have come on board - about 1200 to 1400 ewes in our stud line.

“We have introduced a blood line for them (the boys) so they have about 200 ewes in their lines,” Andrew said.

“The kids are all heavily involved now which is great .

“Over the years we have travelled around to local shows and further - we have had some good success.

“We sell around 300 rams a year .

“We have great support from our local fellows here which is much appreciated.”

Andrew has judged at a few of Royal shows including Perth, Hobart, Melbourne and a few other smaller judgings – but this was his first time judging Merinos.

He went to say that they have another property where they produce around 1500 fat lambs.

“We produce fat lambs with merino ewes and putting the dorset rams over them – these are just for the meat – they are good lambs.”

Andrew did go on to say that in the past they have held other properties, some in Victoria, with the Scotts leasing land in and around the Mansfield shire at one stage , but they are now well and truly settled north of the border –in Coolac – under the Stud name of Valley Vista.