Dalby State High School starts White Suffolk stud

Six ewes and six lamb ewes have been donated by Andrew Herron's Pride of the Downs and Josh Milton's Milton Park, with plans to source a White Suffolk ram in the near future. 

Head of science and agriculture Peter Donnan said the school already had a commercial Dorper flock and they had been looking to start a Dorper stud but were then offered the donation of White Suffolks. 

"It was decided there was actually more educational value in having White Suffolks in terms of being able to have a comparison," he said. 

"It will give us the opportunity cross them with the Dorper and really see the differences between the two breeds.

"The reason we wanted to have stud sheep was to increase the showing of the animals we do at the school.

"We have had significant cattle showing opportunities but some students are more interested in the sheep side.

The school currently has 45 ewes and a ram in their Dorper flock and will probably also look to increase their White Suffolk numbers. 

"The students we've got involved are very excited about gettting the White Suffolks," Mr Donnan said.

"We even plan to have a small workshop at our school to cover the ins and outs of the breed."

Mr Donnan said the number of students involved in agriculture courses at the school varies, but there was definitely strong interest in the industry. 

"Over the last few years, we've seen it increase a little," he said. 

"With the White Suffolk stud, most schools wouldn't have that opportunity. 

"The crossing of the two breeds will be very good for the students to see."