ESTABLISHED in 1976 by Geoff Lewis, Gnowangerup, Pallinup River stud farm is known for its quality wool Merinos and Poll Merinos.
The flock was established and built up over a number of years, loyal clients followed the stud's progress and Geoff prided himself on overseeing the production of big framed, soft-woolled sheep.
But after Geoff's sad passing in early 2009 his son Locky, fuelled by a sense of pride and nostalgia, continued Geoff's dream of making Pallinup one of the most renowned Merino studs in the Great Southern.
Now 29, Locky is one of the youngest studbreeders in the State but it's a title which still doesn't sit comfortably with him.
"My dad was the studbreeder, not me," Locky laughed.
"But it's a job I could have never taken on without the support of a number of local studbreeders and the Gnowangerup community."
Locky said without the help of friends and neighbours, Dick and Collyn Garnett, Willemenup stud, his transition to stud principal would have been made even more difficult.
Despite always knowing he would one day fill his father's shoes on the farm, Locky said he had to take on a number of large responsibilities in a relatively short period of time.
But with the help of his mother (and farm bookkeeper) Kerry, sister Kelsie and fiancee Kristy Boxall, he managed to find his feet.
These days Locky is responsible for the day-to-day running and future planning of Pallinup stud and with 2200 breeding ewes, 1500 lambs and 100 rams on his 2225 hectare farm, it's a job he doesn't take lightly.
"There are so many prospects for young people involved in the livestock industry," he said.
"WA's Merino wool industry is in relatively good stead and it's an exciting time to be involved.
"WA has some fantastic trade opportunities and after so many of our sheep were trucked interstate last year, it'll be interesting to see how the industry bounces back."
At Pallinup's 33rd annual on-property sale last year buyers took full advantage of the 108 two-tooth rams on offer.
High quality, bright, white wools were the drawcard and the top price of $2300 (paid twice) reflected the superiority of the fleeces in the line-up.
There were both new and loyal buyers and the $990 sale average was reached quickly with help from all 15 registered bidders on the day.
In what Locky called a "seasonal comeback", 92 of the 108 rams offered were cleared under the hammer.
Looking back, Locky said scattered rain throughout most parts of the South West and Great Southern provided a boost of confidence for buyers and he was pleased with the overall result of the sale.
In fact, he called it his "best yet."
This year's unpredictable and wet weather was also of some benefit to Locky's operation.
During lambing only the strongest survived, which meant this year's ram lamb flock consisted of only the best.
Late rain also left dams full and paddocks green which would help to sustain his flock throughout the rest of the summer.
Locky said with the abundance of summer feed the rams on offer at this year's on-property ram sale would hopefully be of an outstanding quality.
"The December rain hasn't done much for our crops but hopefully the sheep will be able to make the most of it," he said.
"Like everybody else, we've had quality issues and really terrible falling numbers in our wheat.
"We've had far more rain than average so there will be plenty of summer feed to keep the sheep happy."
Within the next few years Locky hopes to increase the number of Poll Merinos he runs on the farm in a bid to extend his client base and make the most of the growing opportunity and demand for the Poll breed.
"The Poll Merinos were introduced to the stud some years after Pallinup was established," he said.
"There seems to be a growing demand for them in the WA livestock space so it's a good opportunity to capitalise and make the best of the situation."
But for the time being, Locky is concentrating on getting the rest of his harvest off and into CBH before there are anymore rain delays and preparing to marry his fiancee, Kristy tomorrow at Bunker Bay in Dunsborough.
The pair will continue to manage Pallinup stud with the help of Locky's mother, Kerry and oversee the production of highly profitable, low maintenance, well structured Merinos and Poll Merinos for the future.
