Bill Sammon with son Tim and new owner of the Majella stud, Steve James, on the Sammon property at Bungeet.
When Bill Sammon was trying to find a new home for his prized, 62-year-old Poll Dorset stud, he found the solution was only a few kilometres away.
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While Bill was casting about for suitable buyers, neighbour Steve James and his wife, Mardi, were looking to expand their considerable flock.
The opportunity for both came to a head earlier this year, when they shook hands on the sale of the Majella stud to Steve and Mardi, and the last sheep sale under Bill’s ownership will be held on-farm, on Friday, September 19.
The stud included more than 500 ewes, with Steve taking the first lot earlier this year so they could be lambed down.
This year’s lambs will be in next year’s annual ram sale, which Steve plans on continuing.
The stud rams are due to switch properties soon.
Structure and conformation have been important principles in the development of the Majella stud.
“They need a good top line and be able to stand up well,” Bill said.
“Like a stallion holding his head up. And muscling is important.
“And flock health, too. Good shelter, good feed and good water are important.
“It’s no good saying ‘they’ve got a puddle down the paddock in the dam’.”
For as long as he can remember Steve has been buying rams from Majella stud for his first-cross flock.
And more recently, Steve saw an opportunity to buy a local, well-established stud.
Both families have a long history in Bungeet. The James ancestors arrived as selectors in 1878 and the Sammons bought into the area in 1903.
Bill Sammon, Tim Sammon and Steve James check the rams from the Majella stud.
The Sammons have worked through the family succession issues and now son Tim owns and manages the 850-hectare property.
“These blokes have two bug-bears, they have an old father each,” Bill quips.
Steve and Mardi run the 1300-hectare James farm, in conjunction with Steve’s parents, Doug and Jan, joining 2600 first-cross ewes and getting 3500 lambs out of that.
Bill was happy to be able to sell to the James family, whose property is only about 4km north of the home block.
“They’re good sheep people, and studs require people who understand their sheep. I think Steve has that eye.”
His health and some leg trouble (a legacy of heavy farm work and his early football career in the Ovens and Murray league) has brought on retirement plans, but Bill hopes his son will allow him to run a small flock on 162ha, which he can manage from his house on the farm, where he will continue to live with his wife, Glynis.
“When this sale is over I’m going to have a small break.”
Rams from the Majella stud will be offered at the last sale under Bill Sammon’s name in September.
Bill thanked the many farming colleagues who have supported him over the years.
“Farmers are, in general, great to deal with and I have found that all you needed in a deal was a handshake.
“You rely on trust quite a bit, and it’s been good to have that.”
He thanked the stock agents who have helped him, including Kevin Doyle from Dookie, Kevin Murray from Murchison, Lenny Robson from Shepparton and John Gregory from Benalla.
The sale will be held on the Sammon property at 977 Devenish-Wangaratta Rd, Thoona, on Friday, September 19, starting at 1pm, with lunch from 11.30am.
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