The strip reached its peak of popularity in the mid-1980s,[citation needed] with the books selling millions of copies in Australasia.

[4] The depictions of the animals are quite realistic and detailed, with a dose of comic anthropomorphism superimposed without spoiling the farming realism.

[7] The strip's leading human character, Wal Footrot, is based on Murray Ball's cousin Arthur Waugh, who was a sheep shearer around the time of the strip's inception and went on to own a 2,100-hectare farm situated east of Pahiatua in the southeastern North Island of New Zealand.

[8] Ball cited different reasons for quitting the strip, including the death of his own dog, and his displeasure with the direction of New Zealand politics.

The concept for the sculpture arose from discussions between Murray and Pam Ball and Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon in 2009.

Wal plays all sorts of sports including cricket, golf, fishing, rugby union, tennis and snooker.

The final few strips ever drawn involve an unlikely chain of events which culminate in Wal somehow scoring a try against a touring international rugby side.

Main series Pocket books Combined collections Murray Ball Collector's Trilogy Misc Miscellaneous merchandise included: