History
Ardno Pearl Diver, 1963
Celebrating 73 years of
Breeding Herefords
The Ardno Hereford Stud was founded by Ralph McEachern in 1937 due to a passion and a ‘desire to breed functional’ Hereford cattle. Glentrevor, Coliban Park and Golf Hill bloodlines were used early on to set a solid foundation. Ardno enjoyed moderate success in the 1940’s where Ralph and Gwen achieved their long cherished aim of winning a champion ribbon in 1948 with Ardno Dictator 2 at Melbourne Royal. In the early 1950’s the late Mrs Biddlecombe of Golf Hill dispersed her herd, Ralph purchased 10 females for 10,000 guineas. The McEachern’s regularly showed and sold bulls at the Royal Sydney show, where the cattle would spend more than a week travelling from Strathdownie (SA/VIC border) to Sydney via train. Buyers would pay from 90-250 guineas for each beast.
1956 proved to be the turning point of the herd as Ralph ventured to England and purchased Vern Imperious, Vern Impetuous and a six week old bull calf called Marlo Emphasis for 1000 guineas, which set a new record for the Hereford world. The Vern bulls were undoubtedly influential with Imperious siring 42 Sydney and Melbourne Royal Champions and Marlo Emphasis proved to be a potent sire for producing quality females. The English genetics took the market by storm as prior to their introduction Ardno had been receiving 200 guineas but at the 1960 Sydney Royal the bulls made between 2000-4000 guineas each.
In the 1960’s -70’s the show ring was the ultimate test of an animal. 90 bulls would contest a single class, of which Ardno won the most successful exhibitor award at Sydney Royal Show 9 times in 20 years. On average Ardno would take a team of 20 animals to various royal shows. In 1960 Ardno Gladiola 41st by Vern Imperious won the Grand Champion Female 3 consecutive times and went on to win the Lord Hereford Trophy outright. Ardno was awarded the Senior Champion Female in 1985 at Sydney Royal and went on to win the Interbreed Championship Ribbon for pair of animals with Devon Court Emperor.
In Clives time Ardno has employed 180 Jackaroos and Jillaroos from all over Australia, NZ, Japan, UK, USA, Canada, Wales and South Africa, many of whom have gone on to be successful farm managers and owners, which gives us great pleasure.
Although there are 72 years of breeding behind the 2009 Sale bulls we as a family decided to produce something special for our 50th on Property Sale. The ‘C’ drops are big strong robust bulls that have terrific growth for age and balanced figures to match. With headlines that finally give credit where credit is due ‘Herefords outsell the Blacks in the West’ of Victoria, we think whiteface cattle are on the way up again. Herefords have the ability to convert grass into quality meat, are the most efficient British Breed for feed conversion and have a fantastic temperament.
Ardno is Celebrating their 50th Annual on property sale, which has been a combination of 3 generations of passion and determination to produce quality Hereford cattle. Not only is it about the cattle but the people and friendships that we have formed nationally and internationally. These friendships are a significant part of what we do so we would like to thank those that have supported us throughout the years and we look forward to seeing you soon.
We look forward to supplying you with quality Ardno bloodlines in the future.
Ardno's Top Prices
1968
- Ardno Draftsman $17,000 sold to Ohio Stud Holbrook
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1970
- Ardno Nestor Senior, Grand Champion and Breed Supreme Sydney Royal Show. 1969 at 21 months Reserve and Senior Champion Melbourne Show
1974
- Ardno Makino $12,000 sold to Craigleigh
- Ardno Bradman $12,000 sold to Wattlebank
- Ardno Anthony 2nd $22,000 sold to Sir James Sparkes
1980
- Ardno Eden Junior and Grand Champion Melbourne Royal Show
1984
- Ardno Sturdy $21,000
- Ardno Kyabram $12,500
- Ardno Innamincka $14,000 Sold to D Seddes
- Ardno Hopetoun $18,000
1985
- Ardno Julius $14,000 Sold to Wangoom Park
- Ardno Lilydale $14,000 Sold to Mawarra Hereford Stud, Victoria
1986
- Ardno Retreat $16,000 Sold to Ennerdale Hereford and Poll Hereford Stud, Victoria
- Ardno Wentworth $20,000 Bull of the Year
- Ardno Premier $20,000 Sold to Yarram Park Hereford Stud, Victoria
1988
- Ardno Chancellor $17,000
- Ardno Cavalier $31,000 Sold to Ian Wall
1989
- Ardno Defender $14,000
- Ardno Defiance $15,000
- Ardno Danish $16,000
- Ardno Decisive $18,000 Sold to Beggan Hill Hereford Stud, New South Wales
- Ardno Daimler $25,000
1990
- Ardno Emblem $15,000 Sold to Glenden Park Hereford Stud, Victoria
1992
- Ardno Kauri $21,000
- Ardno Keenan $17,000
1994
- Ardno Magestic 3 $19,000 sold to Ennerdale Hereford and Poll Hereford Stud
1995
- Ardno Nevada $15,000
2001
- Ardno Umpire $15,500 Sold to Mr Bob Rollinson
2002
- Ardno Victor $13,000 Sold to Golf Hill Hereford Stud, Victoria
- Ardno Viking $14,000
- Ardno Vantage $15,000
2003
- Ardno Warrnambool $15,000 Lima Park
2006
- Ardno Zeffer $32,000 Sold to Wallan Creek Hereford Stud, Queensland
2007
- Ardno Action $22,000 Sold to Reedy Creek Hereford Stud, New South Wales (View Photo)
2008
- Ardno Burr $13,000 Sold to Tarcoola Hereford Stud, Victoria
2009
- Ardno Calypso $21,000 Sold to Red Hill Hereford Stud, Euroa, Victoria (View Photo)
- Ardno Czech $25,000 Sold to Newcomen Hereford Stud, Ensay, Victoria
- Ardno Observant progeny sold well over $100,000
