Urrbrae Poll Hereford Stud

The Urrbrae Poll Hereford stud was founded in 1970 with the donation of two Poll Hereford females from the Goonamurra Poll Hereford Stud. These females were further supplemented by a purchase, in 1973, of a cow and heifer calf from Glen Osmond Poll Hereford Stud. The stud was formally registered in 1973, with the aim of teaching senior students animal husbandry, show ringcraft and stud administration requirements. Mr Ian Wilson was the first studmaster.

Initially, a significant use of AI occurred, with Barwite Poll Hereford Stud and Australian Artificial Breeders donating registration certificates to the school to help with the stud costs. In 1977, Urrbrae received three loan heifers from Garryowen, Fairbanks and Heatherdale studs, with Wirreanda providing another loan cow in 1979. The Urrbrae herd now sits on average at six or seven cows, with an emphasis placed on commercial attributes while still allowing for full educational benefit to students, of husbandry and showing.

Urrbrae remains fortunate, and thanks Herefords SA, for remaining committed to the school, providing animal assessment and advice, as well as individual members providing semen for the current AI program and still on occasion the loan of cows for herd improvement