Victorian studs Wurrook and Oakbank have backed up their Bendigo wins, by topping the Merino judging at Sheepvention at Hamilton.
Wurrook’s fine wool ewe that was grand champion ewe at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo, got the same commendation of the judging panel at Hamilton today.
Fine wool judge Alan McCormack, Walwa stud, Currundah, NSW, said she was sashed with the tri-coloured ribbon because of “…her completeness, in a word”.
“You just can’t fault her,” Mr McCormack said.
He highlighted the ewe’s great wool and skin, coverage, staple length and structure and good size for its type.
The McRae family’s Oakbank Poll Merino stud, St Arnaud, won grand champion ram of the show, in the first time the family had won the crown with a Poll Merino.
Strong wool judge John Roberts, Dubbo, NSW, said it was a unanimous decision to award it the grand champion title. He described it as a very structurally correct ram, with a great spring of rib, a long staple, very crimpy wool and very good underline.
Its wool measured 21.6M, 3.1SD and 14.4 CV.
The judges awarded reserve grand champion ram to Montrose Hill and commented on its lustrous, soft wool.
Jack McRae, Oakbank Poll, said the two year-old ram would be shorn next week and then they would collect from him before joining him to stud ewes in February. Its bloodlines go back to Nyowee Poll P44.
Merino and Poll Merino champions
- Grand champion ram: Oakbank Poll, St Arnaud (strong)
- Grand champion ewe: Wurrook, Rokewood (fine)
- Grand champion ultrafine wool ram: Mt Challicum, Ararat
- Grand champion ultrafine wool ewe: Montrose Hill, Illabrook
- Grand champion superfine wool ram: Montrose Hill
- Grand champion superfine wool ewe: Wurrook
- Grand champion fine wool ram: Coryule, Willowvale
- Grand champion fine wool ewe: Wurrook
- Grand champion medium wool ram: Stud Park South, Willaura
- Grand champion medium wool ewe: Coryule
- Grand champion strong wool ram: Oakbank
- Grand champion strong wool ewe: Kerrilyn, Dunluce