About us & History

A Legacy of Excellence

Stud Principal - Glenlea Park

Glenlea Park has long been a trusted name in Australian sheep breeding, known for its unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and progress. Established in 1964, it was managed by the Wallis family until 2025, when ownership transitioned to Joe Murdoch, the new stud principal, and his family. 

The Murdochs also run the respected North Cowie Merino and Poll Merino stud on the Yorke Peninsula, bringing decades of breeding expertise to Glenlea Park. With a deep understanding of livestock genetics, Joe is committed to maintaining the stud’s reputation for producing elite Merino and Poll Merino sheep with exceptional structural soundness, fertility, and high-performance wool traits. The stud has built a reputation for delivering top-tier livestock that thrive in both wool and meat production, cementing its place as an industry leader. Through a combination of cutting-edge genetic tools and time-honoured breeding principles, Glenlea Park continues to shape the future of Australian sheep farming.

A long-time admirer of Glenlea Park genetics, Joe saw the acquisition as an opportunity to expand his passion for Merino breeding and relocated the stud to Keith. Having successfully integrated Glenlea Park sires into his North Cowie breeding program, he respects the stud’s legacy and aims to continue refining its high-performance sheep, recognised for their rich, lustrous wool and adaptability. His first on-property sale is planned for August 2025, where he will catalogue approximately 170 rams. In addition, he will retain his Yorke Peninsula sale to ensure long-standing clients can continue accessing quality genetics. Former Glenlea Park owner Peter Wallis will remain involved in an advisory capacity for a year, supporting a smooth transition and continuity in breeding strategies.

By maintaining a commitment to sustainability and high-performance genetics, Glenlea Park ensures that each new generation of sheep is well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern agriculture. Their strategic breeding practices enhance productivity and profitability for farmers, reinforcing Glenlea Park’s standing as a trusted partner in the industry.

Through strategic breeding practices and a commitment to ongoing research, Glenlea Park ensures that each new generation of sheep is better suited to meet the challenges of modern agriculture. Their focus on sustainability and high-performance genetics guarantees that farmers can count on Glenlea Park to enhance the productivity and profitability of their flocks.

Years of Experience
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The History of Glenlea Park

Glenlea Park Stud was founded in 1964 by the late Glen Wallis. His son, Peter Wallis, joined the farm in 1991, bringing a new era of growth and innovation. The stud was initially built on Collinsville bloodlines, renowned for their heavy-cutting wool and strong carcase attributes. In the mid-1990s, Bill Walker of Classing’s Ltd was brought on as a stud classer, ushering in a shift towards refining the sheep’s structure and wool quality without compromising their meat-producing traits.

Embracing technology early, Glenlea Park incorporated Embryo Transfer in the 1990s, replicating top-performing ewes to accelerate genetic progress. Artificial breeding further enhanced the stud’s offering by introducing superior genetics from leading sires across Australia. This commitment to excellence helped Glenlea Park establish itself as a premier supplier of elite Merinos, expanding its client base beyond the Mallee to South Australia and interstate.

Peter took full control of Glenlea Park in 1998, continuing to integrate top genetics from Charinga, Wallaloo Park, and Leahcim studs. Under his leadership, the stud became a consistent performer at major industry sales, including the Classings Classic, Adelaide Ram Sale, and Hamilton Sheepvention. Notable achievements include the sale of “Olympic” for $39,000 in 2008 (the highest-priced ram in Australia that year) and a record-breaking $51,000 sale in 2013.

Glenlea Park’s reputation for producing elite rams saw a steady increase in commercial sales, growing from 34 rams sold at an average of $482 in 2002 to 220 rams achieving a state-record average of $4,285 two decades later. Stud sires have also been in high demand, with sales exceeding $10,000 for over 50 rams. The stud has retained some of its finest sires, including Glenlea Park 150881 and Glenlea Park 180030, whose genetics continue to shape the industry.

Among Glenlea Park’s most remarkable achievements was the sale of “Smithy” (180173) for $100,000 at the 2019 Adelaide Ram Sale—the highest price paid for a ram at the event in 30 years. Other standout rams include GP 150170, which sold for $33,000 in 2016, and “Big Ben” (200992), which reached $56,000 in 2021.

Beyond sales, Glenlea Park’s influence on the industry is undeniable. Many of Australia’s top sires have Glenlea Park genetics in their lineage, a fact underscored by the ACM Media Merino Stud Rankings in 2023, where Glenlea Park was ranked the No. 1 Merino stud in Australia.

Commitment to Innovation and Biosecurity

Glenlea Park has remained at the forefront of industry best practices, maintaining strict biosecurity measures and achieving Ovine Johne’s Disease Monitored Negative 3 (OJD MN3) status since 2003. The stud has also participated in the Brucellosis Accreditation Scheme and implemented Gudair vaccination for over a decade.

With rams sold across every state in Australia and genetics exported to New Zealand and South Africa, Glenlea Park’s impact extends well beyond its South Australian roots.

The Future of Glenlea Park

As Glenlea Park moves forward, the focus remains on breeding superior sheep, not merely increasing sales or raising prices. With a strong foundation built on excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to their clients, Glenlea Park is positioned to lead the industry into the future. Our dedication to continuous improvement and sustainable practices ensures we will remain a trusted partner for generations to come.

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