He may only be 11, but Pat York is already running his own sheep stud on his family’s property in Bowenville near Dalby.

Pat said the reason he called his stud Wellspring, was because it means a source of continual and abundant supply.

“My long term goal is to be able to continually produce large numbers of rams for my clients,” he said.

He said he picked Dorpers because they are a “low maintenance sheep with the ability to rear multiple quality lambs per year”.

Pat’s mother, Mimi, said he had always had an interest in animals and enjoyed helping his dad, John, with the cattle on their property.

“We started out with a couple of sheep that sparked Pat’s interest that prompted him to research Dorpers and purchase a sire,” she said.

“He loves going to the stud sales at Bellevue, they seem to inspire him. He is just starting to build up his stud numbers and hopes to start showing soon.”

Pat currently has a flock of 180 Dorpers, which are mainly pasture raised, except for in times of drought.

Read the full article by Kelly Mason for Queensland Country Life here. *SUBSCRIBER ONLY*