THE AKUNA Hampshire Down Stud
"Hampshire Down sheep are a truly remarkable breed."
The AKUNA Hampshire Down Stud was established in 2017. Our founder flock consisted of genetics from Johnos stud - Jeff Johnson (highly regarded Victorian Stud Master). Over the years AKUNA has introduced genetics from various bloodlines (including NZ) to define the AKUNA Type Hampshire Down.
We wanted to do our bit to support a rare breed that possessed genetic merit that has so much potential in the Australian sheep industry. Hampshire Down ticked all of the right boxes. When we started there were less than 1500 Hampshire Down sheep in Australia making them a rare breed
Hampshire Down are the true climate masters that can be found in different parts of the world. They are well suited to our South Gippsland wet and cold winters as well as the stinking hot summers. Their dark face, ears and legs seem to prevent skin cancers caused by high UV levels. You will find flocks in different parts of the world with both temperate and arid climates (USA, UK, NZ, SA).
"A strategic approach has the potential to make the breed more
common and more competitive in the Australian and export sheep
meat markets". Dan Isgro (AKUNA Stud Master)
Our sheep operation today:
The purpose of our breeding program is to preserve the typical Hampshire Down traits whilst improving carcass quality. We select for traits that do well in the show ring as well as those that make management easy during the lambing season.
- Low birth weight
- Fast growth rate
- Excellent muscling
- Multiple birth rates
We finish our lambs on lush South Gippsland pastures and supplement with high quality lucerne and grain rations. All sheep are vaccinated, drenched and rotated on rested paddocks to ensure excellent health is maintained.
