After two solid days of judging across central Victoria, the 2018 McLennan-McColl Flock of the Year champion has been awarded to a Muskerry-based flock.
Presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, in partnership with Merino Victoria, Nicholas Harrop, ‘GE, KM & NE Harrop’, took out the prestigious honour.
The competition saw seven properties in the Bendigo, Ballarat, and Serpentine region open their gates to judges John Crawford, Rock-Bank Merino stud, Victoria Valley, and Daniel Rogers, Mount Yulong Poll Merino stud, Telangatuk East.
The results were announced at a recent Flock of the Year presentation dinner, held at the National Hotel in Bendigo.
Mr Harrop said it was an honour to take out the top prize.
“I was so shocked, but privileged to be named the winner, it was a great experience, and encouraging to see that we are on the right track with our breeding,” Mr Harrop said.
“Congratulations to all breeders who entered the competition, and to the RASV and Merino Victoria for organising the event.”
Named in honour of two of the Merino industry’s most well-respected individuals, wool producer Neil McLennan, and sheep classer Keith McColl, the award celebrates and assists with improving the quality of Victoria’s Merino ewe flocks.
The judges agreed that the selection was a difficult process given the high standard of entries in this year’s selected region.
“Congratulations to all entrants for having the courage to display their sheep to the public,” Mr Rogers said.
“The standard of sheep on display was fantastic, and showcased many strengths of the Merino industry.”
Other entrants, fellow producers and interested parties were able to view entrants’ production systems, and learn best practice management with competing properties open over the days of judging.
The competition was also supported by Landmark, Elders, and RuralCo.