About Us

We are fully committed to the sheep and wool industry and to taking the stud into the future.

Terrick Merinos continues to refine the stud’s base genetics using the latest scientific tools combined with practical sheep breeding knowledge. These tools enable stringent genetic scrutiny.

Sourcing genetics that will compliment and strengthen the stud’s base is important to enable continuous improvement.

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The Lansdowne Pastoral Company

First established in 1881 the Lansdowne Pastoral Company is one of Queenslands most iconic woolgrowing empires. Lansdowne have merino flock no.474 that was established in 1884 and poll merino flock no.11 was estabilished in 1944. In a non drought year Lansdowne’s collective 66,206 hectares (~164,000 acres) is home to up to 35,000 merino sheep.

The property is situated in the Tambo region of Queensland and is largely open grassland plains with access to the Ward River. Chris Turnbull is currently the station manager whilst working with other family members at Lansdowne Pastoral Company.

The Turnbull family have a long history with the property and company which was documented in detail by G.W. Lilley in a book titled “The Story of Lansdowne”. The book makes for interesting reading about the trials and tribulation, innovations and success of growing merino wool on a pastoral station in this remote part of Australia.

History

Flock No. 440
A force in the wool industry for over 120 years

Terrick Merino Stud was founded in 1896, on the property, Terrick Terrick in the Blackall district of Central Western Queensland. While not in its original location, today, the stud has stood the test of time and continues to improve and be a force in the contemporary and changing wool industry in Queensland.

The stud was founded by the Australian Estates and Mortgage Co. Ltd. when they selected 850 ewes from 99,155 ewes of the Terrick Terrick flock which, together with the property, the company purchased from D.S. Wallace.

Up until 1916, rams were purchased from Boonoke, F. No. 7, Wanganella Estate, F. No. 84, Lucerndale, F. No. 202, Eli Elwah, F. No. 34, Bundemar, F. No. 11, Deniliquin Stud Park North, F. No. 195, North Bungaree, F. No. 125, Anama, F. No. 103, Merrinong, F. No. 55, Old Cathundral, F. No. 369, and Uardry, F. No. 79.

In 1936, the name of the company was changed from the Australian Estates and Mortgage Co. Ltd. to the Australian Estates Co. Ltd. In January 1979, the stud was taken over by C.S.R. Pastoral Division. In July 1985, the stud was sold to NM Rural Enterprises Pty. Ltd.

In September 2001, the stud, comprising 54 rams and 2187 ewes (in lamb), was sold to Richard S.W. and Jennifer E. Keogh, trading as R. & J. Keogh and relocated to Amaroo Blackall. At the same time the name was changed from Terrick Terrick to Terrick Merinos to save confusion with the original property.

The Lansdowne Pastoral Company purchased the Terrick Merino stud off Rick and Jenny Keogh in March 2022 including 2,000 stud ewes and 500 stud rams. The sheep were moved across to Lansdowne before lambing down in May. The Lansdowne and Terrick studs will be run separately under the Lansdowne Pastoral banner with Rick Keogh as the stud advisor.

Over the past century, Terrick has trained and employed some of the most influential names in the merino industry including Basil Clapham, Ray Murdock, Howard Holmes, Ken Riley, Peter Harvey and Duncan McDonald. These people and others have helped develop Terrick sheep into versatile animals that are particularly well-suited to western Queensland conditions.