Our Story

1919

1981

2018

Hannaton Merino stud was established

Hannaton Poll Merino stud was established

Hannaton White Suffolk stud was established

HISTORY

The stud has seen continual progress under the management of Peter Hicks for the past forty years. Peter and Sally’s son Jonno also joined the team at Hannaton full time in 2010. Hannaton Merinos continue to evolve as we remain focused on quality, with a balance between wool and meat production.

The current breeding program combines performance measurement and performance in the paddock. Our total breeding focus is on increasing our clients commercial profitability. Hannaton Merinos is focused on producing a true dual purpose sheep with recent emphasis on a plainer bodied earlier maturing sheep, while maintaining our renowned wool cut and quality.

Hannaton Merinos has been an industry leader in using the most modern tools available to enhance their genetic progress. Hannaton has continually sourced Australia's best genetics through sire purchases and with Laparoscope AI since 1983. The stud first used a projection microscope to measure fibre diameter distribution in 1980 and has since progressed to the OFDA testing. All rams bred for sale have had fibre diameter measured since 1984. Fleece tests from our ram sale team are available for download from our Ram Sales page. Reserve rams are fleece tested and weighed every six months.

The next obvious step for Hannaton is to provide more objective measurement for our clients and move into the use of ASBV's. Our 2015 ram sale team was the first time these figures were included to aid in ram selection to better meet our clients breeding objectives.

PERFORMANCE RECORDING