Mundulla Border Leicester breeder Trevor James has been recognised for his commitment to the Border Leicester breed, having recently received been given honorary life membership of the SA branch of the Australian Border Leicester foundation.
Mr James was presented with the honour at his Coolawang Border Leicester on-property sale on Thursday last week.
Australian Border Leicester Association SA branch president Mark Grossman presented Mr James with the award, congratulating him on his commitment to the breed's progression across three decades.
Mr James has previously served as ABLASA president, has served on the federal council, and was also involved in the Pastoral Committee at the Royal Adelaide Show for 29 years.
"Trevor has been a good promoter of the Border Leicester breed for many years, and a good mentor to new studs along the way," Mr Grossman said.
It's been fantastic to have an organisation that's strong enough to promote and support the breeders.
- TREVOR JAMES
Mr James said it was a surprise to receive life membership.
"You don't start volunteer work to get a reward, you get the reward along the way through helping people and helping the breed," he said.
"You get so many opportunities to either judge sheep or do things in the breed, there are so many benefits of being involved."
Mr James first started breeding Border Leicesters in 1980, and has been involved in the association for most of that time.
"I've met a lot of wonderful people (through being involved), and I've got a lot of wonderful acquaintances, I can go anywhere in Australia and know someone," he said.
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"You get the opportunity to mix with people from other breeds as well - as sheep breeders, we all have a common theme about how we like to do things, it's been good to get to meet so many people."
Looking back, Mr James said seeing the progression of the breed had been a major highlight of his involvement in the association.
"It's been fantastic to have an organisation that's strong enough to promote and support the breeders," he said.
"Border Leicesters are doing exceptionally well now, it used to be a bit cyclical, but not so much anymore, I think as long as there is demand for good maternal sheep, Border Leicesters will remain strong," he said.
"They produce the best maternal crossbred going."
"Breeding with a Merino gives them trueness to type, you've got an animal that has the genetics to produce the same quality lamb."
Mr James stepped down from the committee last year, with his son, Lachy, now vice-president of the ABLASA.
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Claire Harris
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
