Grand champion medium wool ram of the show was awarded to a March-shorn Poll Boonoke ram.
Judge Drew Chapman, Hinesville Merino and West Plains Poll Merino studs, Delegate, NSW, said it was a difficult to choose which ram to put up in the champion medium wool Poll Merino ram, because the East Mundalla ram as also very impressive and they were “…top Poll sires that will take the breed forward”.
But the winning ram from the Deniliquin, NSW, based stud had incredible structure with an impressive top-line and great hips; a sirey head; and a great coverage of free-growing wool.
In awarding the grand champion medium wool ram of the show Rohan Sprigg, East Strathglen stud, Tambellup, WA, said couldn’t go past the ram, noting its beautiful face and terrific balance.
This standout two-tooth, 18.9-micron Poll Boonoke ram also won champion all purpose Merino of the show, and previously won Riverina Ram of the Year and Champion NSW ram at Hay, NSW.
It is by Wallaloo Park Real Deal 003.
In awarding the all purpose Merino winner, judge Graham Wells, formerly of One Oak stud, said the “great” sheep combined meat, wool cut and type.
“This is a class that was introduced some 10 years ago, and we’ve seen fine to medium and up sheep gain about 10 kilograms in scale,” Mr Wells said.
Grand champion medium ewe
Champion Medium Wool ewe went to Willandra Poll, Jerilderie, NSW. Medium wool Merino judge Rohan Sprigg, East Strathglen stud, Tambellup, WA, awarded the broad ribbon to the ewe lamb for its flawless structure, very silky face, thick, soft ears and impressive volume.
Mr Sprigg said the champion was magnificient especially for a lamb, and had tremendous skin, balance, scale.
Nicknamed “Ellen”, principal Ross Wells said the ewe would retained in ET program and was by well known sire “The GP”, a Willandra-bred ram owned by Geoff Peters.
The one year-old ewe was champion hogget ewe of the Hay Show.