A young East Gippsland couple has established a merino stud with consideration for animal welfare top of mind.
Luke and Casey Nicholls purchased 85 acres of farm land in Stockdale, near Stratford and have recently set up Macehill Merino stud.
The couple, who has two children - Nellie three years and 15-year-old son, Alex, lease an additional 1000 acres of pine country.
Luke has built the flock to 1200 over time and currently has 45-50 rams that will be for sale later this year.
Conscious of animal welfare concerns around mulesing sheep, Luke and Casey are breeding a plainer bodied sheep that doesn’t require having the excess skin around a lamb’s rear end removed - a procedure usually carried out to reduce the risk of flystrike.
“We believe if you do the right thing by the animal you get the best return. We also believe that we have to supply what the consumer is demanding which also leads to a better return,” Casey tells Primary Producer.

IMAGE: Casey and Luke Nicholls with daughter, Nellie, at their Macehill Merino stud in Stockdale.