What started out as regular workshops designed to share knowledge, experience and to generate overall improvement has resulted in a unique idea to offer a combined sale of quality terminal rams and working dogs to be held at the Hamilton Showgrounds on Friday 1st November 2024.

Nedelle Downs, located 13km west of Hawkesdale, was established in 2003 by passionate local sheep breeder and stud principal Ned Nagorcka along with his partner Jaynel. Ned’s breeding focus from the start has been to maintain the traits Southdown’s are best known for, in particular, lambing ease, tight skins and superior eating quality, while continually improving growth rates, doing ability and carcass traits.

Sheep are run under commercial conditions at commercial stocking rates and are first classed visually, with a large emphasis on structural correctness to ensure a long working life and exceptional fertility. The stud is also fully recorded with lambplan, ensuring continual improvement and giving clients the ability to buy with confidence.

Industry leading White Suffolks were added in 2022 with the purchase of top-grade stud ewes from the dispersal of the renowned Waratah White Suffolk Stud. Now with fourth-generation family members involved in the operation, the stud has the ability to grow, bring fresh new ideas to the table and continue to push Nedelle Downs forward.

Nedelle Downs has been consistently selling over 200 Southdown rams with a full clearance for a number of years. At the request of many of their clientele they have decided to offer approximately 80 ‘top of the drop’ rising 1.5yr old Southdown and White Suffolk Rams at auction this year.

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Stock Dog Collective (SDC) comprises Ryan and Jayne Lenehan, Tom and Nikky McMahon, Cain Jenkins, Connor McConnell and Barry Paton. They are a passionate group of working dog enthusiasts committed to breeding and training quality working dogs suitable for a range of sheep and cattle enterprises. They are excited to offer 12-15 quality working dogs ranging from pups to fully trained experienced dogs in the upcoming combined sale with Nedelle Downs.

Members of SDC all work in the livestock industry and rely on their quality working dogs on a day-to-day basis to perform their roles. These roles range from managing large ewe and lamb operations, intensive lamb and beef feedlots, cattle trading operations and professional livestock contracting.

SDC aims to get the foundations right from the start with a large emphasis placed on selecting well natured pups, with natural instinct and a suitable temperament that it easy to have around a team. Quality training builds on this foundation, gradually building a dog’s confidence and knowledge needed to commence a working career. Dogs are then exposed to varying work situations that is appropriate for their age and ability to ensure that by sale time the dogs are well equipped for a successful transition into their new homes.

Pride is taken in honest marketing for each dog to ensure that prospective purchasers can have confidence in selecting the right dog to suits their needs. They all have a genuine love and care for their dogs and want to see a successful outcome for the dogs and their new owners. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to interact and view the dogs prior to the auction to assess both the suitability of the dog and the owner before purchasing to aid in a smooth transition.

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For any questions regarding the upcoming sale or to view any of the dogs please feel free to contact;

Ned Nagorcka – Nedelle Downs – 0428 556 812.
Ryan Lenehan – SDC – 0447 080 683.
Blair O’Toole - Southern Grampians Livestock and Real Estate - 0458 690 008.
Jack Hickey - J.M. Ellis & Co - 0436 189 690.