Our History

MEAT ELITE was founded in 1988 by a group of seven progressive Poll Dorset breeders. A nucleus flock was formed and based in Armidale.  The location was very close to the University of New England’s MIR Catscan that was used to explore muscle development in sheep. From this work came the discovery of the Carwell muscling gene.

In 1991, after the success at Armidale funding was obtained from Meat Research Corporation, University of New England, and NSW Agriculture, to expand the Meat Elite nucleus. The flock was then moved to Walcha, and expanded with a further 57 Poll Dorset Breeders from across Australia, each contributing their top 5 hogget ewes on LAMBPLAN.  This research phase ran for 5 years with an annual flock ram sale. The elite hogget rams of each drop were sent out each year to contributing breeders. The resulting progeny added linkage to the development of the LAMBPLAN across flock analysis.  With the 1995 drought the flock was disbanded with ewes being returned to contributing breeders.

By 1996 Meat Elite had developed into a Young Sire Program, with some 41 breeders. The pick of the group’s hogget rams were used, by Artificial Insemination, in different studs and environments, in a linked pattern.  Unfortunately, during this period the breed society lost interest in the concept, and by 1999 the group had declined to just 16 members. 

It was in 2000, when the then chairman, Rodney Watt, and secretary, Trish Carter, developed the concept of holding an annual conference that would move around Australia. This allowed members to see the latest research projects in regional areas and different prime lamb production systems.  The conference allowed members to access the latest sheep research, which helps them achieve faster genetic gain based of animal selection for genetic performance. Throughout this time healthy debate, education and friendship has underpinned the group’s success.

Conferences have now been held at the following locations:

The Meat Elite group has 20 very dedicated younger Poll Dorset Stud breeders from all mainland states, who are committed to the commercial objects of improving the quality of prime lambs and supplying customized genetically superior rams to their clients. Meat Elite is also involved in on going lamb research that will benefit the lamb industry.