Grand champion Poll Merino ram, Victorian bred Merino ram of the year
ROCK-BANK’s grand champion Poll Merino ram impressed judges for its conformation, balance and white and bright wool that covered its large frame.
The ram from the Victoria Valley based stud was also named Victorian bred ram of the year, with the reserve being awarded to Glen Donald, Nhill. The Victorian bred ewe of the year was automatically awarded to Wurrook’s supreme exhibit.
Judge Michael Collins, Mount Bute stud, Linton, the Rock-Bank ram prevailed thanks to its for its purity, staple length and coverage.
“This ram is a good package and while the reserve is structurally very good and stands very well,” he said.
Rock-Bank’s Nicole Crawford said the winner was by a son of a Pemcaw Poll ram purchased at Dubbo.
“He’ll be the stud’s top lead Poll sire,” Ms Crawford said, highlighting its high level of production and scale, especially for its fine type.
Grand champion Poll Merino ewe
THE grand champion Poll Merino ewe was awarded to a ewe lamb from Willandra Poll Merino stud, Jerilderie, NSW. The 18.1M ewe also won junior champion ewe and champion medium wool ewe.
Poll Merino judge Drew Chapman, Hinesville stud, Delegate, NSW, awarded the broad ribbon to the ewe lamb for its flawless structure, very silky face, thick, soft ears and impressive volume, particularly considering it still has its lambs teeth.
Principal Ross Wells said the GP daughter would be retained in Willandra’s ET program.
Junior champion ram was awarded to WA’s East Mundalla stud. The upstanding strong wool Merino ram still carrying its lamb’s teeth and won a total of six broad ribbons.
The 135kg, ET-bred ram is by Jonty, which was the supreme exhibit at the 2011 Australian Sheep & Wool Show and out Charinga Tom 22.20. It carried wool figures of 20.4M, 3.0 SD, 14.7 CV and 99.5pc CF.
Terrick West, Prairie, had the reserve Poll Merino ewe.
Other Poll Merino winners
VICTORIAN studs performed well in the Poll classes, including Avington stud winning champion ultrafine Poll ram, and Melrose getting both the ram and ewe champion ribbons in the superfine Poll Merino category. Nareeb Nareeb’s champion fine/medium wool Poll ewe went onto compete in the grand championship, and Wallalloo Park won champion strong wool Poll ewe.
SA studs Sherlock and Hilton Heath won fine Poll ewe and champion strong wool Poll ram respectively.
WA stud Westerdale won champion fine/medium wool Poll ram. NSW studs Poll Boonoke and Willandra won champion medium wool Poll ram and ewe respectively, and Roseville Park won best exhibit of three Poll Merino sheep.