AFTER three years, just $1.10 was the difference in overall wool plus bodyweight price averages between first and second at the Ovens Valley Wether Trial.
When the three-year wool group average was combined with total live weight value, Colin, Graham and Darren Bahr, The Rock, had an overall value of $356.10.
Second was Dylan, Ryan, Nathan and Josh McLellend, Archdale north-west of Maryborough, with an overall value of $355.00. The trial, run by Elders in conjunction with the Everton Best Wool Group, ended on Tuesday.
Winning farmer Darren Bahr, The Rock, was unable to attend the final day because he was still cropping.
"It's good to see how they perform against everyone else's sheep in the same conditions,” Mr Bahr said.
"Some people might be lightly stocked or heavily stocked at home but their sheep on their home farm are totally different to how they look in this trial under the same conditions...Comparing micron to fleece weight and body weight and what things you might have to work on."
Organiser Rex Bennett, North East wool manager for Elders, said the trials were a good way for producers to share information and compare their flock with others.
Thirty-five teams of five 2012 drop merino wethers entered this trial, which began in mid 2013. They ran as a single flock. The wethers had their first shearing in May 2014 and each year the fleece was assessed and valued.
The collated information was sent to those in the trial to compare after each shearing.
Results:
- 3-year Wool Group average combined total plus Live weight value: CJ & CR & DW Bahr, The Rock, NSW 1; D,R, N & J McLellend, Archdale, Vic 2; J & R Dawson, Canowindra, NSW 3.
- 2016 shearing results: Highest value wool team: Peter, Sharon and Matthew Hurse, Carisbrook, Vic, Ave Value $97.60 1; Dylan, Ryan, Nathan and Josh McLellend, Archdale, Vic, $96.50 2; John and Rosemary Humbert, Calivil, Vic, $94.73 3.
- Most valuable fleece: Peter, Sharon and Matthew Hurse of Carisbrook, Vic (Sheep # 39 Micron 22.7, Yield 77.3%, Greasy Fleece Weight 10.43kg, Total wool weight 12.18kg, Clean Price 1272c/kg, Greasy Price 983c/kg, Total wool Value $115.00)
- Heaviest Sheep (Wool & Body weight combined): Fowles Farm P/L, Creighton’s Creek, Vic, (Sheep # 35, Wool weight 8.11kg, Body weight 86.39kg, Total Weight 94.5kg)
