Who We Are

The Purpose of the AWHSA

The aim of the Australian Wiltshire Horn Sheepbreeders Association is to develop and promote the Wiltshire Horn breed and to provide support to breeders of these unique sheep through a variety of activities. 

We believe in working together to ensure the breed maintains its quality and esteem within industry. By supporting our members with events, tools and guidance, our cooperative approach allows breeders to enjoy their Wiltshires to the greatest possible extent.

For a stud or commercial breeder in your local area please see our member list here.

Alternatively contact one of our friendly committee members and they will be happy to provide information about breeders in your area.

Purpose of the AWHSA

The purposes of the association are:

1. To establish and maintain breed standards for Wiltshire Horn sheep.

2. To promote shows and social functions for Association members.

3. To promote and expand markets for Wiltshire Horn Sheep.

4. To print and publish any newspaper, newsletter and brochures desirable for promotion of the Association, the breed and its members.

5. To promote the use of Wiltshire Horn sheep genetics in commercial applications.

6. To co-operate with the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association and abide by their by-laws, rules, regulations and decisions relating to Wiltshire Horn Stud Sheep.

Code of Ethics & Conduct

1. The full pedigree of all stud stock is to be recorded. Complete records for both ewes and rams will be kept, and print-outs showing at least the 3 previous generations made available to purchasers. All stud sheep to be registered with the ASSBA and ownership transferred to the purchaser.

2. A vendor's declaration will be supplied at the point of sale to the purchaser. The guarantee will state the health status of the animal and its pedigree for the previous 3 generations.

3. Selling sheep for slaughter: If sheep are in a shedding state they should be shorn before slaughter because of problems at abattoirs with equipment and drains. Also the appearance of stock in the saleyards. Cull saleyard animals (rams and ewes) marked 'slaughter only'.

4. Tail docking. Tails should be docked to no less than the third vertebra; ie covering the vulva.

5. Association members will not knowingly sell stock that do not have the capacity to shed fully.

6. If a ewe has proven barren (as certified by veterinary inspection) for 2 consecutive years it will be replaced (this was intended to cover ewes that are genetically/anatomically barren, not those which eg have become obese on new place, or damaged by an accident, or having had a disease) .

7. The Association will supply a price report (ie a range of prices for different classes) for the sale of sheep to all members annually based on sale results. Members will be asked to voluntarily supply figures to enable this report to be compiled.

8. All sheep will be accurately described, advertised or defined. ie. (a) registered stud stock (b) unregistered full blood commercial (c) commercial grade sheep stating cross (eg. 4th cross Wiltshire Horn, or 6th cross Wiltshire Horn and where possible showing what other breeds had been used) (d) commercial crossbred.