End of an era for East Coast merino stud
THE sale of assets from one of Tasmania’s premier fine-wool merino sheep studs has signalled an end of an era.
Emotions were mixed at the dispersal sale of Okehampton stud at Triabunna on the East Coast as more than 1000 buyers from throughout the state turned out last Friday.
The assets were offered for sale after well-regarded stud principal Paul Weeding passed away in October. About 4000 sheep were on offer along with farm equipment.
The 1385ha Okehampton property was sold for more than $8 million to a family consortium in May. Okehampton, boasting 9km of coastal frontage, had been in the Weeding family since 1956.
Okehampton takes in Cape Bougainville, the nearest land mass to Maria Island National Park, and includes two private white sandy beaches.
Tony Bradfield, state regional wool manager for major wool broker Australian Wool Network, said the Okehampton merino stud dispersal sale would go down in history.
“These opportunities just don’t come along. It’s once in 50 years a complete stud comes along for sale,” Mr Bradfield said.
“I can’t remember stock that has made this sort of money at sale. The sheep were in good condition and very well-bred.”
Jean Weeding, widow of Paul, said the day had brought of mixed emotions.
“The property had already been sold, but today is mixed emotions for me. However I am happy and pleased to see the stud moving forward to help someone else,” Mrs Weeding said.
Okehampton was known for producing big-framed rams that yielded lots of wool.
“The stud, with unique bloodlines, was 50 plus years in the making. Stud genetics was Paul’s passion.”
A Langdene Merino ram Paul bought for $50,000 last year sold for $22,000 to Stonehouse Grazing at Lemont.
“I am pleased for the sale result of the ram and of his new home,” she said.
Mrs Weeding said she would leave the farm and move to Carrick to be with family.
The farm was land granted to Maria Island penal settlement commandant Major Thomas Lord, one of the first Europeans in the area, in 1825.