Karmala
HERITAGE KELPIES
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The stud is situated about 40 km south of Toowoomba near the historic village of Nobby, famous for Rudd’s Pub; here Australian writer Arthur Hoey Davis, better known as ‘Steele Rudd’, wrote some of his well known Dad and Dave stories. The old house where he lived is just down the road from Karmala. Established at Lake Bolac in the Victorian Western District, the move to the Downs was made in 2001 when Jan ‘retired’ from farming. This move necessitated an adjustment in breeding emphasis to suit the Queensland market’s demand for dogs that can work cattle as well as sheep. 2020All the Karmala sires I am using have tested clear for CA. Top row, Brock, Landy, Wills. All bitches have also tested clear of CA or are bred from clear parents. There’s a lengthy CA discussion in the May 2020 post.
Foundation dogs were chosen from lines of clever mustering dogs and sires are generally chosen from dogs performing well in testing conditions. This is very important, as there is insufficient work on a small property to fully assess dogs.
February, 2026
After good rains through December and January the tap’s been turned off and it’s very dry. On the up side, we’re free from fires and floods unlike many unfortunate people. My huge dread during Western District summers was fire. Together with California, the two worst areas for wild fires world wide( most people seem to have totally forgotten that we led the world in wild fire management until the Greens…?!) and now with so much cropping/stubbles in W.Vic. a recipe for even worse fires…as manifested recently between Streatham and Skipton. Heartfelt sympathy for all concerned in huge disruptions to their living, including those in the awful floods in NQ.
Meanwhile our summer has been relatively mild in SEQ. This has been a big bonus for me as new pups are extremely heat sensitive. The Sass litter by Breezebend Brad via AI(above) has done OK apart from a bit of a glitz when the weather was pretty volatile. Tilly has four little pups by Black Jack, a nice number for a first time mum. Below at 2 weeks and in temp. control mode.
We had a quick look at Dee, Valli and Ante on my few sheep…and were blown away! Em then received orders to stay in bed for three weeks, which is proving rather difficult as you can imagine. Her family is moving so she’s with me for that time and the pups can prove a strong magnet!! On the upside, I have to think about food more than usual… it’s something that usually happens when I walk inside after feeding everything else!
Sass having a break from her pups. The camera makes her go cross eyed!
I had a couple of lovely photos from Wayne Miller in NZ who has K. Laddy. He was pleased that Grant Calder had seen him working a trial and admired him. Many years ago I had a wonderful holiday with Grant and Robyn; I was devastated to hear a few years later that Grant had rolled his buggy and was in a wheelchair. He had represented NZ in trials and Robyn judged Fine Merinos at the ASBA show, they stayed with us at that time and I still have my whistle that I swapped for horn branding irons. Fond memories.
During January Mina was AI’d to Bobby’s (K.Polo x K.Gin Fizz), a really nice young dog who showed exceptional early talent but was injured.
Koonamara Quaint/Speedy was joined to Riana Note/Ned who’s working cattle for Wayne Lucas.
Snooker’s recovering well from his vet stay in Crookwell and went off with his two bottles of herbs today to a new home with Greg. Hoping they get on really well and he proves a good mate… not knowing how his lungs will recover precludes a full on working home.
Not much more to report at present, I’d better go and turn on a hose!
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