A POLL DORSET ewe snapped up the supreme prime lamb interbreed exhibit at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show today.
Bred by the Scott brothers Joe, 22, James, 20 and Luke, 16, from the Valley Vista Park stud, Coolac, NSW, the ewe had been awarded the grand champion Poll Dorset ewe title at the breed judging yesterday.
The brothers’ father Andrew Scott said his sons could not be at Bendigo to see her win the interbreed title, but would be thrilled with their animal’s success.
He said it was unusual that a ewe would win the prestigious title over a ram, but she already had a long list of show broadribbons from the Australasian Poll Dorset Championships and the Canberra Royal under her belt.
“I am surprised, but she has great growth rates and meat attributes,” he said.
The ewe will now make the trip back to the Australasian event to back up her success at Bendigo.
In the longwool interbreed exhibit judging, a Corriedale ram was the unanimous winner.
Richard Archer, of the Quamby Plains stud, Tas, was excited with the decision, particularly after taking out the supreme Corriedale title the previous day.
“He’s a competitive ram. He was definitely in the mix,” he said.
Di Rawlinson, NZ, helped judge the longwool exhibit, and said all four judges were impressed with the Corriedale.
The prime lamb interbreed group broadribbon went to Frances Murray, of the Burrandool stud at Euroa, in what will be her very last show at Bendigo.
“It’s a nice way to finish,” she said.
She’s been showing at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show for about 30 years.
But the Border Leicester group also fared well, picking up two interbreed broadribbons today.
Exhibited by Graham and Isabella Grinter, of the Retallack Border Leicester stud, Ariah Park, NSW, the group won the supreme Australian longwool group and the British breeds group.
