Terrick West Poll Merinos
Our Story
Four generations of Poll Merino breeding on the Northern Victorian plains.
Terrick West Homestead, Terrick West Estate
01
Australia's Best
Bloodlines
Australia's Best Bloodlines
The original Terrick West Stud was founded in 1932 from Bundemar and Haddon Rig genetics, moving to our family farm on the Northern Victorian plains in 1948.
Terrick West Poll Merino Stud was established in 1954 from Poll Boonoke rams — making it the oldest active poll stud in Victoria. In 1982 our best ewes were combined and the remaining horned stud was dispersed.
Over the following decades we focused on producing larger-framed Poll Merinos with the highest quality fine/medium wool. This began with two Moorundie Park rams from South Australia, delivering significant and consistent improvements in size and bulk. In 1989 this was augmented with the first of two Roseville Park fine wool rams. More recently we have introduced semen from Wallaloo Park and a share of a Merryville Poll sire.
02
Today's Strongest
Genetics
Today's Strongest Genetics
Today, young Terrick West sires consistently produce high volumes of soft-handling, deep-crimping wool in the 17–19 micron range with high comfort factors - on frames weighing over 100kg still with their lamb teeth. That means more profit, sooner.
This balance is reflected across our entire flock, where average micron over recent years has fallen below 19 microns and our mature animals average more than 8kg of wool production each year.
Terrick West's large-framed, plain-bodied sires are also critical for clients joining ewes to Border Leicesters and other terminal sires - where our consistently bulky, deep-crimping wool ensures ongoing clip value alongside profitable meat production.
03
Proven Against
the Best
Proven Against the Best
Terrick West has consistently performed well in sales around Australia. Our diverse client base spans most climates and breeding philosophies — from high-performance studs and large commercial flocks through to traditional breeders and leaders in the ASBV data-driven approach.
In recent years, Terrick West sires have been successfully introduced to flocks across Australia, New Zealand, and South America.
We are proud supporters of Australia's long Merino show tradition — where we receive live feedback on our animals against the best in the country, alongside the increasingly deep breed-value data we gather as an additional vital measure.
Terrick West sires are delivering consistent returns for clients — from high-quality progeny and improved wool clips through to excellent prices for surplus ewe sales and weather lambs over the hooks.
Ross McGauchie, stud-master, Terrick West Estate
The McGauchie Family
The Terrick West Stud was founded by Edgar McGauchie and his sons Cyril and Eric in 1932. Today, Eric's son Ross McGauchie runs Terrick West Poll Merinos with his wife Robyn and daughter Claire — the fourth generation to shape the stud's vision and direction.
Over four generations we have always taken a balanced and sustainable approach — caring for our land and our animals, and producing what we believe is the most ethical and sustainable fibre in the world.
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Our Operation
About Terrick West Estate
1,000
Stud ewes
9,000
Acres dryland pasture
400mm
Average annual rainfall, 100+ years of data
1,200
Flock ewes
18.5µ
Average micron across entire flock, 6+years
8kg +
Large fleece weights
PASTURE AND CROPPING
9,000 acres of dryland pasture including lucerne, sub-clover, ryegrass, and cereal stubbles. Supplemented with irrigated lucerne and sorghum.
HEALTH & BIOSECURITY
All rams are vaccinated and MN3-certified for Ovine Johne's Disease, eligible for all states and territories. Brucellosis-free.