TOP SIRE 2026–2027 HALL OF FAME NSW SMBA inducts Ross Wells OAM to the NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association HALL OF FAME Ross Wells OAM Having been involved in the Merino stud industry with the family’s One Oak stud, Ross was ready to employ all that he had observed and learned into Willandra to return it to a stud of prominence. In its history, Willandra had been regarded as a major stud. Previously based at Hillston, brothers Arthur and Frank Laird elevated its reputation to national prominence, achieving success in both the show ring and through massive commercial sales into the pastoral areas of New South Wales and Queensland, where they operated two ram depots. In the eyes of a lot of Queenslanders, Willandra was effectively a Queensland stud. Ross Wells had very clear ideas about what was required to make Willandra a stud of importance. “You need to have good genetics, excellent property management and marketing and people skills,” he remarked. Taking over Willandra Merino Stud was a journey. There was two record wet years, followed by two dry years and the wool industry was still battling a period of tough times. The Willandra flock had experienced relocation and ownership changes but still had generations of breeding just waiting to be reinvigorated. At the time, Tony Watson was the classer at Willandra and, having stayed with the stud through ownership changes, he was helpful in the early years. He introduced Ross to existing Willandra clients and, since he had those existing relationships, was called on to do a lot of the Willandra flock ram selections. Ross noted Tony’s main skill was to put together ram drafts that were very even in type and suited client requirements. The purchase of the Willandra Merino Stud in 1974 would prove a wonderful opportunity for Ross and Irene Wells. – 40 –
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