Twelve Merino and poll Merino studs showed off their sheep at the Loddon Valley Stud Merinos 2016 field day on Friday.
The breeders’ group’s new president Robert Ipsen, Cahirblonig stud, Wareek, said the day enabled producers to inspect and compare the different characteristics and traits of the participating studs’ sheep. A few studs were enable to have displays, held back by injuries or other issues.
Commercial producers and other stud breeders did the circuit of four on-farm displays, with many visitors ending their trip at the Serpentine Recreation Reserve where eight studs had displays.
Sandy Jalbert, who dispersed his Strathcona Merino and Poll Merinos stud last year, and the young Ben Hartwich, 16, of the Mt Challicum Merino Stud, inspected all the displays.
Mr Jelbert said the “very enthusiastic” Loddon Valley Merino breeders had shown great and big sheep, in a productive environment. He said the field days also privided a good range of sheep, with some studs focusing on wool and others on meat, and prepared differently.
They awarded the best pen of three rams to Kedleston Park. Mr Jalbert said the winning pen stood out for its eveness and technical correctness.
“They were well covered and the wool was very well nourished, and they were quite correct structurally,” Mr Jalbert said.
Members of the public visiting the studs were also invited to nominate their best pen of three rams, and Mike Edwards, Welshpool, agreed with the judgement.
Kedleston Park principal John Humbert said the heavy cutting 10 month-old Poll Merino rams were sired by Kedleston Park William and were among his first drop of lambs. More of his progeny will feature in their on-property ram sale later in the year. Mr Humbert said it was the fourth time in 10 years they had won the award and he held it “...a great honour considering the quality of the rams bred in the Loddon Valley”.
