About
Tullinga Dorper Studs
The Stud
From 2005 to present..
Tullinga Dorper Stud was founded in 2005 by Anne Coffey and Robin Sanderson at ‘Tullinga’ 35kms north-west of Condobolin. Robin and Anne produced a stud of quality ewes with frame, muscle & structure, culminating in their successful final ram sale in September 2021, which was a credit to them and their years of effort.
The Tullinga Stud ewe flock was purchased in March 2021 by Hamish, Penny, Alex and Callum Wald comprising 420 ewes which are now run at “Banar” as well as a commercial flock which is run at “Burragong”.
Tullinga is a family run, commercially focused stud, aiming to consistently produce high performing genetics for low cost of production ewe flocks, providing rams suitable to variable conditions across a range of environments.
Since then we have more recently;
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Purchased both Dorper embryos and elite Dorper ewes for flushing from Burrawang to establish a dorper flock (June 2022).
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We also purchased elite White Dorper embryos to enable flock improvement (220 ET Lambs born July 2022, another 220 born Feb 2023)
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We have continued to have two ET programs per year with them carried out in March and April of every year.
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We purchased 180 SIL stud ewes of the initial matchless dispersal from Susan, Ian Law and family with assistance from Benjamin. These are large framed, feminine ewes with great structure and are a good match to our existing white dorper ewe flock. This has increased the stud flock to a1200 ewes either scanned in lamb or with lamb at foot, still allowing us to class heavily. (December 2023)
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Most recently we have purchased T5 SIL maidens Dorpers from Nomuula's Dorper stud dispersal. Adding a lovely line of outcross ewes to our flock. (April 2025)
Stud Belief
The Wald Family
Both White Dorpers and Dorpers are a maternal breed which are polyestrous which is a non-negotiable to us.
Whether in an accelerated joining, spring joining or an uncontrolled joining this is the most potent advantage of the Dorper. We will not infuse any other breeds due to the loss of fertility as this is diluted via introduction of other breeds. Our selection is based on an accelerated lambing in which each ewe must raise a lamb every year unassisted in a grass-based flock in order to remain in the flock.
All of our ewes are classed on structure annually. Additionally, an accelerated lambing in a grass-based flock will select on doing ability as only those that continue to raise a lamb and get back in lamb remain in the flock.
To amalgamate the above beliefs, we are able to enforce this due to the addition of genomics and strict data recording. We know who every individual is and what their history is. This has allowed for rapid acceleration within the flock due to informed selection. Due to this we do lose some good ewes but more importantly we are able to identify the non-performers and the outstanding ewes, allowing us to invest where it is most worthwhile.
‘Banar’ is a mix of red and black country running from light sandhills to heavy clays which puts the flocks structure to the test in wet winters through to the hot dry summers.
2022/2023 has been 12 months in contrast. The last half of 2022 has seen the Eastern States La Nina accumulate in major flooding along the Lachlan Valley. Banar was affected with 70% of our country flooded from September through to February with major damage to crops and fencing along with the instant feed shortage due to the length of flooding.
The June 2023 rainfall has meant we are now getting pasture to re-establish are hoping for a mild spring for the ewe flock after a torrid 12 months.
The flock has continued to grow and through tough selection using the breed standard quality has continued to improve.
The difficult climate of the last 12 months has been fantastic for selection and the majority of the sheep have thrived, allowing strict selection on any sub-par performers. We intend to stabilise the stud flock at 1000 White Dorper ewes and 250 Dorper ewes in order to continue to improve quality and consolidate our base.
