The Walton family, Wurrook Merino stud, Rokewood, has won the Merino supreme exhibit of the show for the second consecutive year.
The winning fine wool ewe was sired by Merryville Hamilton Giant, who also sired the Wurrook ram that won last year’s supreme exhibit and other champions of recent years.
Principal Paul Walton said he planned for the ewe, which was in-lamb to one of the show rams, to be retained in the stud.
The ewe, which impressed the judges and crowd with its combination wool quality and quantity on a large, structurally correct frame, was named supreme of the 836 Merino and Poll Merino entries. It automatically won Victorian-bred ewe of the show.
The Wurrook stud bought a team of 12 sheep, and also won grand champion ultrafine Merino ewe.
Judge Michael Collins, Mount Bute stud, Linton, Victoria said the supreme exhibit Wurrook ewe was the type of ewe everyone would like to be breeding.
“She is structurally very good and is carrying an enormous amount of quality fine wool,” he said.
“She is covered really well down and keeps her quality from head to toe.
“She is just outstanding.”
The fine wool is by Merryville Hamilton Giant and carried wool figures of 17.5 micron, 2.5 SD, 14.3 CV and 99.7pc CF.
And it came through the August-shorn six-tooth class and is out of a Wurrook Monarch family ewe.
Grand champion Merino ram of the show
The grand champion ram ribbon was taken home by the Conrayn stud, Berridale, NSW, when its grand champion ultrafine ram got the nod narrowly in front of East Mundalla’s grand champion strong wool ram.
The four-tooth, August-shorn ram was by Merryville Big Brilliant and out of one of the winning stud’s own ewes.
The 22 month-old ram won junior championships in Syndey, Canberra and local shows.
Principal Peter Lette said they planned to retain the ram in the stud, despite having a lot of inquiry, and would sell semen.
He said for an ultrafine ram, its sheer scale was eye-catching. He said it was well covered with soft-handling wool and was one of the top few sheep they had ever bred.
Mr Lette said it was the first time Conrayn had won grand champion ram of the ASWS. They had a team of 12 sheep including two sale rams.
Ultrafine judge Phil Carlon, Queenlee stud, Uralla, NSW, said the ram had tremendous softness and terrific quality all over.
“He really has great finish,” he said.
The upstanding six-tooth Merino sire displayed wool figures of 17.5 micron, 2.9 SD,16.6 CV and 99.8pc CF.
Winners
Supreme Merino exhibit: Wurrook, Rokewood, Vic (fine wool ewe)
Rams
Grand champion Merino ram: Conrayn, Berridale, NSW
Grand champion ultrafine wool ram: Conrayn
Grand champion superfine wool ram: Montrose Hill, Illabarook, Vic
Grand champion fine wool ram: Langdene, Dundedoo, NSW
Grand champion fine/medium wool ram: Oakbank, Gre Gre North, Vic
Grand champion medium wool ram: Poll Boonoke, Deniliquin, NSW
Grand champion strong wool ram: East Mundalla, Tarin Rock, WA
Victorian-bred ram of the show: Rock-Bank, Victoria Valley, Vic
Grand champion Poll Merino ram of the show: Rock-Bank
Champion March-shorn ram of the show: East Mundalla
Junior champion ram of the show: East Mundalla
Grand champion unhoused ram of the show: Glendonald, Nhill, Vic
Ewes
Grand champion Merino ewe: Wurrook
Grand champion ultrafine wool ewe: Wurrook
Grand champion superfine wool ewe: Grathlyn, Mudgee, NSW
Grand champion fine wool ewe: Wurrook
Grand champion fine/medium wool ewe: Nareeb Nareeb, Glenthompson, Vic
Grand champion medium wool ewe: Willandra Poll, Jerilderie, NSW
Grand champion strong wool ewe: Orrie Cowie, Warooka, SA
Victorian-bred ewe of the show: Wurrook
Grand champion Poll Merino ewe of the show: Willandra Poll
Champion March-shorn ewe of the show: Willandra Poll
Junior champion ewe of the show: Willandra Poll
Grand champion unhoused ewe of the show: Mt Challicum, Ararat, Vic
Pairs
National pair of the year: Navanvale stud, Williams, WA
March shorn pair of the year: North Ashrose stud, Gulnare, SA
