THE Day family of Bordertown, South Australia have earned the title as one of the nation's leading stud masters following their incredible Royal Melbourne Show performance.
Brothers Alastair Day, Allendale Suffolks, and Lachy Day's, Days Whiteface, White Suffolk sashing of champion interbreed ram and reserve title, respectively, were some of many accolades the family received in the sheep arena over the weekend.
Industry stalwart and show steward Bruce Starritt, Tatura, said it was one of the best performances by one family, across several breeds, he had ever seen at a show.
"The Day family have proven they are the leading stud masters in Australia - just reading their performance (at Melbourne) they've taken out champion and reserve (interbreed ram) and had nine sheep from three breeds in the top 12 of the interbreed group judging," Mr Starritt said.
"It is absolutely exceptional."
Allendale's champion Interbreed ram was praised for his structure and outstanding growth for age.
The August 2014-drop ram weighed 135.5kilograms and measured a fat depth of 10milimetres, muscle depth of 49mm, muscle width of 100mm and muscle area of 38cm.
Of the brother-to-brother battle, Allendale principal Alastair Day said it was a thrill for the family.
"When you have respected sheep breeders judge your sheep and give you an award, it isn't a lottery, it is very humbling," Alastair said.
Lachy Day said the brothers' friendly rivalry was good fun.
The White Suffolk ram sashed reserve weighed 150kg and recorded a fat depth of 10mm, muscle depth of 52mm, muscle width of 101mm and muscle area of 40.4cm.
Lachy said stud breeding was an integral part of their family history.
"Both (Alastair and I) have chased dad around since we could walk and he did the same with his dad - you pick up the subtleties and finer points of breeding through the generations," he said.
Their success continued with Allendale Poll Dorset's taking out the breeders group and two rams in the champion ram trifecta team, sashed to Poll Dorset breed which included a ram from Leenala, Naracoorte, South Australia.
In the female section, the team of five judges celebrated excellent examples of the breeds and chose a striking Border Leicester ewe, exhibited by Jeff Sutton, Wattle Farm, Temora, NSW, for the champion position and a large-framed Suffolk, exhibited by Deppeler, Derrinallum, as reserve champion.
She was praised as a magnificent example of the dual purpose breed, with a terrific carcase, wrapped in an ideal fleece.
Judge Dianne Huett sashed the champion ewe and said she was setting a new standard for the Border Leicester breed.
The sires progeny group was awarded to a Poll Dorset team exhibited by Derby Downs, Marong, which judge Kevin Moore, Campania, Tasmania, said "these are the sheep that make the breed progress".
The interbreed win topped off a stellar show for stud principal Don McKinnon.
"It is encouraging to win a prestigious award which is proof we are selecting the right sires," Mr McKinnon said.
"To put three (stud-bred Poll Dorsets) together in a group awarded the champion sash is a satisfying achievement for a stud breeder."