Brian Jefferies

Brian Jefferies graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College with First Class Honours in 1950, won the Gold Medal and was awarded the Ridley Memorial Scholarship to study Agricultural Science at Adelaide University. He took an active part in sport at the College where he was successful in football and long distance running. 

On graduating he joined the SA Department of Agriculture in 1953. In ensuing years he worked in government research and extension in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, including 14 years as the principal sheep and wool officer with the SA Department of Agriculture until 1986.  The following year he moved into private sheep consulting with many commercial clients in SA and WA until 2011.

Brian’s international work put him amongst the small number of Roseworthy graduates who helped to foster the international recognition that the College has enjoyed for some years. His fields of endeavour included Sheep Breeding/Genetics, Sheep Classing, Wool Classing, Animal Production (Sheep/Goats), Animal Nutrition (Sheep), Extension (Sheep & Wool) and Tour Leader/Guide (Spanish or English). 

An early adopter of the Soft Rolling Skins principles to breed plain-bodied Merino sheep with long-stapled wool. He also embraced objective measurement for economic traits and focused on breeding sheep for increased profitability.  But some of his most significant work was internationally,  developing three new breeds for South American conditions- the Patagonian Poll Merino, Patagonian Meat Merino and Patagonian White Suffolk.

Conferred with the Order of Australia Medal in 1988 for services to sheep breeding. 

Winner of 2001 ROCA Award of Merit.