THE exceptional measurements of Echo Cottage’s wool clip claimed the Johnson family of Lemont, Tasmania the 25th Elders Southern Supreme Clip of the Year title.
Recording an average of 18.1 micron, the 125 bale clip yielded 76.3 per cent with 46 newtons per kilotex and was purchased by Italian textile giants Successori Reda and Vitale Barberis Canonico for an average of $2336/bale, through New England Wool.
The awards at Sheepvention, Hamilton recognised Allan, Jenny and Troy Johnson, sheep and wool classers Denis Crawford and Scott Zantuck on the evenly bred and quality classing of the clip.
Elders’ Malcolm Nichols said the “exceptional” clip had style to match the staple strength.
The clip was bred using rams from it’s the Echo Cottage stud flock which was founded 2006 with ewes purchased from Buangor Park in lamb to Ringmaster 35 and Rockbank Bruno.
Other sires since have come from Merryville, Wurrook and Pemcaw.
Mr Johnson, a former abalone diver, began farming in 1997. The family run their Merino flock and Angus herd across 226 hectares of semi-improved grazing land in Tasmania’s central east.
With Elders Tasmanian Supreme Clip wins in 2006, 2008 and 2012, Mr Johnson attributed the family’s wool growing success to genetics and sound advice from Denis Crawford, Hamilton, Vic.
“Since we met Denis in 2001, our clip has gone from yellow wool to nice bright white wool which is unbelievable,” he said.
“It’s been a slow process but I’ve done what he has told me to do, which is buy good genetics.”
Month winners:
- July – Croxton Pastoral clip, classed by Chris Bensch.
- August – Glenelg Estate clip, classed by R J Wilson.
- September – RV Bowden clip, classed by Jodie Bryant.
- October - Echo Cottage clip, classed by Scott Zantuck.
- November – DJ & MJ Manning clip, classed by Marie Boadle.
- December – KW & JA Pendergast clip, classed by Kelvin Pendergast.
- January – DS & FVM Robertson clip, classed Darren Strawford.
- February – DM & EST NA Bain, classed by Cassandra Greenwood.
- March – Wando Estate clip, classed by Classed by Christine Herring.
- April – DA & JL Barber clip, classed by Amanda Moloney.
- May – GF & RK Davidson clip, classed by Belinda Smith.
- June – Rockview Partnership clip, classed by Cherie Wombwell.