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Hazeldean
History and
Genetic Base |
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The Hazeldean Merino
stud was founded by James Litchfield in 1865 with
the purchase of a draft of sheep, the progeny of
pure imported Rambouillet merinos. These sheep were
carefully bred until 1879 when a draft of ewes from
the flock of David Taylor of St. Johnston, Tasmania
were imported together with several high priced rams
from the flocks of James Gibson of Belle Vue and
W.H.Gibson of Fairfield. Other stud ewes were added
and many valuable stud sires subsequently purchased
in these early years.
James Litchfield attended the Sydney Sales of 1884
and purchased dense-woolled Golden Tom for 270
guineas along with Sir William for 380 guineas; King
Arthur for 100 guineas and Sovereign for 300
guineas. |
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The progress of the
bloodline ran along similar lines to the development
of the Peppin strain in the Riverina and indeed
occasional introductions of Peppin rams were made
for the next 80 years until the flock was closed in
1960.
The original James Litchfield had four sons who
operated in partnership as Litchfield Brothers after
their father retired. This continued until 1910 when
the business partnership was dissolved.
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Hazeldean's business
also includes commercial flocks and herds as well as
the production of cereal grains however its main
interest is the production of superior seedstock. In
both cattle and sheep it ranks among the country's
largest suppliers and when viewed as a whole, has a
major influence on the genetic makeup and progress
of Australia's extensive livestock industries. |
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The stud was divided in
two, one half retaining the name Hazeldean and taken
up by eldest son Arthur James Litchfield, who lived
at Hazeldean, and the other half named Springwell
and transferred to Owen Charles Litchfield of that
property.
The two studs ran
independently for a period of 27 years until 1937
when grandsons of the founder agreed to a
re-unification through the sale of the Springwell
stud flock owned by William Owen Litchfield to his
cousin, James Francis Litchfield of Hazeldean.
Since 1937 the stud has
been run under the direction of the James Litchfield
family. |
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Flock