It was a thrilling final judging to the Wiltshire Horns when Ray Newman’s Muskdale stud, Axedale, took out the breed’s Supreme Exhibit a this year’s show.
Judge Nick Lawrence said the breed was about putting “meat on the table and this ram (the supreme) would do that”.
Mr Lawrence said the champion ram had the carcase attributes he was looking for on a commercial basis.
“He’s got a good set of testicles and handles himself really well,” he said.
He said the showing at Bendigo, that attracted up to 14 ewes in one class, was one of the biggest and best he had seen.
“It was definitely the best I have judged,” he said.
Both the champion and reserve champion ewes also came from the Laradell stud. The champion ewe was sired by Durango (an O’Loghlins sire) from a Muskdale ewe.
Last year was the stud’s first year in the show ring.
“We wanted to have some fun and get together with nice people,” John Clarke said.
“It’s good for the grandchildren as well.”
The Clarkes started the flock about four years ago and have about 36 stud ewes and 40 commercial ewes.
Most successful exhibitor was O'Loghlin Wiltshire Horn, Deniliquin, NSW.
Stud principal Jason O’Loghlin said it wasn’t his strongest year, but there was a lot of O’Loghlin genetics throughout the classes.
He was most pleased with winning the Leo Harwood Memorial Trophy for a group of two rams and two ewes, where breeders had to produce four animals even in all aspects.
