About Us
Our Story
Bauer & Retallack Studs are owned and managed by Jamie, Tracey and Lachlan Buerckner, with Emily and Hayley continuing to play an important role in the business.
Jamie is the fourth generation of the Buerckner family to farm at Ariah Park. His involvement in the family’s commercial sheep enterprise sparked his interest in Border Leicesters, developing into a passion for breeding productive sheep that deliver for commercial producers.
Bauer was established in 2004 from 12 Retallack ewes. In December 2021, that connection came full circle when Jamie and Tracey purchased the renowned Retallack Stud and property.
Today, Bauer & Retallack brings together the history and genetics of two established studs with a strong commercial focus. We run approximately 550 breeding ewes and use our own rams in our commercial flock, putting our genetics to work where it matters — in the paddock.
Bauer History
Established in 2004, we began Bauer Border Leicester Stud with the purchase of 12 ewes from Retallack. From these foundations, Bauer has steadily grown into a flock of approximately 500 breeding ewes.
Building from the original Retallack bloodlines, genetics were initially introduced from Cadell, Morton and Jackson Studs. We have continued to source and introduce outstanding genetics from leading Border Leicester studs across Australia to strengthen our breeding program.
Our focus has always been and continues to be, the production of consistent, commercially relevant rams with emphasis on length, muscling, wool quality and fertility. We take great pride in seeing clients achieve success in first-cross ewe sales with progeny sired by Bauer rams, while also seeing other Border Leicester studs achieve strong results using Bauer genetics.
Retallack History
The Retallack stud (flock no. 3666) was established by Graham Grinter in 1975 with ewes from the Blecquin stud, 30 stud ewes bought from the dispersal of the Sproules Lagoon stud (based on The Oaks and Kelso bloodlines) and the sire Campaspe BN305-74. In 1977, Retallack selected 100 maiden ewes from top Victorian studs, Terrappee, Campaspe, The Oaks and Fraser along with a Terrappee sire.
Since its inception, Retallack has had considerable success in show and sale rings, with Graham's involvement spanning more than 50 years in the industry. Retallack is today considered one of Australia's leading Border Leicester studs, with sheep and genetics being sold to most states of Australia and overseas to America, UK and Nepal.
Retallack genetics are more than proving themselves within the stud industry with a number of other Border Leicester breeders winning broad ribbons at national shows using the Retallack genetics.