Weaner comp uproar

Changes to the Hamilton Showground set-up resulted in Arcadian Wool's ewe weaner competition being squeezed out of its former competition shed this year, into a new shared site in the Merino ram auction arena.

AWB's Richard Edgar said it was a "misguided decision" that was not supported by AWB, who argued the organisers were moving away from the sheep event's original concept and becoming a town show.

"Sheepvention has grown into an unbelievably successful event because people come from everywhere to go to what is arguably the pre-eminent sheep show," Mr Edgar said.

While weaner competition organiser Fraser McKenzie from AWB said organisers "were looking at the bottom line" when moving the location of the competition.

"They could make more money out of the complex than what they were (with the ewe weaner competition)," Mr McKenzie said.

"It is disappointing when the dollar takes over the event but at the end of the day if they are not raising money, then there is no event."

Mr McKenzie said the new site was not compatible with the competition due to increased noise and foot traffic.

"Hopefully down the track, hosting the competition at Sheepvention is reassessed," he said.

The ewe weaner competition is a showcase of genetic performance in commercial environments where sheep are judged on their wool and weight production and genetic performance.

Mr McKenzie said the response following the cancellation of the event had been overwhelming.

"At the end of the day, yes Arcadian could have ran it, but it would have been in the ram shed where the noise and distractions would have been hopeless," he said.

"But you need to keep these events going because that is what it is all about -- at the end of the day, it is Sheepvention, it is about sheep."

However Sheepvention chairman Rob Hartwich, who has been involved in the running of the show for 30 years, defended the decision as a "revamping" of the show.

"The ewe weaner competition is a good event but it needs to be revamped and we thought drawing all the Merinos together, including the show and ram sale, would be a big lift for the competition," he said.

"Merinos have been through a tough time so we need to look at what needs to happen to make it more relevant to the industry. We are looking forward all the time and sometimes things have to change for the better."

He said the decision was financially motivated to ensure the show remained viable as insurance and costs associated with running the event had significantly increased in the past seven years.

"We look and assess everything, each segment of Sheepvention in a budgetary manner because to be successful, an event has to float on its own boat financially," he said.

"It is not about making money, it is about surviving."

Mr Hartwick refuted claims the show was losing its identity.

"Our charter as the P&A (Pastoral & Agricultural Society) is about servicing the agricultural industry, not businesses, which is what we are doing with the ram sale and sheep shows that have increased in numbers as the event becomes more successful," he said.

"Everyone looks at their own sections, but (as organisers) we try and draw all those sections together and say 'this is what Sheepvention is about'.

"There were more than 2800 show sheep on the ground and more than 3000 sheep overall with the other sections -- if that isn't sheep-orientated, I don't know what is."

Mr Hartwick said the show society was exploring further ways to be more financially stable with the use of GPS layout for site efficiencies and education promotion of sheep breeds in the coming years.

"I think the competition will be back, it is currently just evolving," he said.