David Rowbottom
Rowensville Ultrafine Merino Stud | Owner & Stud Manager
About Speaker
David Rowbottom was born in Pt fairy Victoria, Australia, the eldest son of Harry & Nancy Rowbottom who were originally dairy farmers, later prime lamb producers.
Educated in the state school system to leaving standard, left school at 17 to pursue his farming ambition. Firstly, as a shed hand, then shearer also share farming.
In 1972 purchased 111 acres that was sold in 1974 to purchase 307 acres farming X bred ewes for prime lamb production.
David & Susan married in 1975, Susan working at Fletcher Jones who used Italian woolen fabric for men & women clothing manufacture.
In 1976 leased 320 acres including the purchase of 600 pure Saxon superfine ewes which were on the property, financed by Susan. So, the Merino journey began.
The first wool clip sold in 1977 19-21 micron, 267cpkg being the top price. We were prime lamb producers with no intentions of breeding Merinos. The very wrinkly, short stapled merino unappealing to David, needing mulsing. After 3 years the decision was made to take up the challenge to improve the sheep, aiming to produce the best wool possible. Mulsing ceased in 1979.
David looked to night school to learn wool classing and underwent training in genetics. The long patient selection process to sheep that required no mulsing to produce exceptional quality wool was undertaken.
Holders of season record prices for both clients & ourselves. Also, winners of a number of Ermenegildo Zegna Vellus Aureum Wool Trophies.