Who we are.
Bailup Downs Afrinos is an Afrino stud established by John Bennier, a veteran sheep breeder with more than five decades of experience. John started his sheep enterprise with Merinos and Poll Dorsets for wool and meat production, operating farms in Wickepin, Jitarning and Kulin with his three sons.
In 2006 John introduced Afrino rams to a flock of Merino ewes at his Kulin property. So impressed was he by the lambs produced he went on to source the best Afrino rams in WA over the next decade until he had his ‘brand’ of pure Afrinos.
John was impressed by the Afrino breed’s adaptability, fertility and low maintenance, as well as its fine white wool quality. He gradually upgraded his Afrino/Merino flock to pure Afrinos by selecting the best rams and ewes from each generation. His careful breeding program resulted in a fast-growing prime lamb with excellent wool characteristics. He selected the best stud rams and ewes from his pure Afrino flock to form his new stud Bailup Downs Afrinos at Wooroloo in the Perth hills.
Our vision
To improve the Afrino breed in order for it to take the place it deserves in the sheep industry in Australia. To get the message out there that the Afrino is a true dual-purpose sheep that suits the Australian landscape. The Afrino is low care, naturally bare breeched – with no mulesing required. The Afrino is a calm sheep with the ewes proving to be great protective mothers.
The Afrino has high lambing percentages over 150% with the smaller birth weight lambs virtually eliminating lambing problems. The lambs have a fast growth rate – easily reaching their prime lamb targets. No contamination here either with shedding or hair – the Afrino has fine to medium white wool. Dual purpose – dual income.
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“Outstanding rams and sheep, our lambing operation has really benefited from the acquisition of some Bailup Downs Afrino Rams.”
— Gemma Richter the Richter family – Hyden WA.
Our commitment
Our commitment at Bailup Downs Afrinos is to improve the Afrino breed to the highest possible standard to service our existing clients and new clients with a first-class product. A Bailup Downs Afrino is a true dual-purpose sheep – for both the Prime Lamb industry and the wool industry.
Bailup Downs Afrinos 