House takes over as new WA stud Merino president

Richard House will tackle some challenging issues in his new role as president of the Stud Merino Breeders Association of WA.

Although the industry is currently riding high on the sheep’s back, he said there was much work needed in addressing lice, Ovine Johnes Disease and support for the livestock export industry.

“These are exciting times for sheep producers,” Mr House said.

He urged farmers to consider increasing sheep numbers through natural replacements.

Even though ewe prices are fetching record prices, he said they were still equal to the value of lambs.

The 48-year-old and his wife Cindy are principals of Barloo Merino stud, in Gnowangerup, where they reside with their three children, who attend boarding school.

Mr House runs 2300 stud ewes and 6000 commercial breeders.

He was president of the Southern Districts Stud Breeders Association during the World Merino Conference in Perth in 2006.