New Zealand genetics were a key influence in the 2018 Australian Sheep and Wool Show supreme champion Romney.
The supreme exhibit, the rising three-year-old champion ewe, was shown by Tintern Grammar, Ringwood East.
Tintern's farm services manager Gavin Wall said the ewe was an artificial insemination daughter of New Zealand ram Doughboy 120, and was out of a ewe that was sired by another NZ ram.
Mr Wall said Romneys were more numerous in New Zealand than in Australia and were raised in extreme conditions there that helped improve the breed.
"The dairy cattle have pushed a lot of the sheep off the flat country and up into the hills," he said.
"They can have snow on the ground and are in really steep terrain.
"All the sorts of things that really test sheep out and I think that is a big advantage to us."
Mr Wall said the recent ban on importing genetics from NZ meant that door was now closed so "we have to make do with what we have here".
"I am an avid fan of line breeding, which I think brings out the best,” he said.
"Yes they call it inbreeding when it doesn't work, but you've got to be prepared to cull, you've got to be prepared to work with the sheep that have all the desirable characteristics which you are wanting to improve."
Mr Wall said Tintern was working to improve both the wool and meat characteristics in its small 30-ewe flock.
It was aiming to fine the wool out, to increase its value, but also wanted to retain the muscle and other characteristics of the breed such as its hardiness, worm resistance and footrot resistance.
Tintern also took home the champion ram award.
"The thing I really like about the ram is that he's got fantastic muscle," Mr Wall said.
"If you have a look at the hindquarters of him - magnificent, absolutely magnificent."
Judge Roger Wilkinson, from Wirreanda Romney stud, Wangoom, was impressed with the Tintern sheep, whose Romney herd was founded on sheep from his father's Romney stud more than 30 years ago.
"I am really impressed with what Tintern has done with their sheep, and while the sheep might go back to our bloodlines, they've used plenty of others along the way," he said.
"I bought a ram from Tintern a few years ago myself, and I may buy another one in the future too."
He said Tintern had maintained the good soft handle and lustre in the fleeces and the carcases were good too.
He said the champion ram had an outstanding frame, he was "beautifully square, stood up well, had a good head and was a well-balanced sheep".
He gave the supreme championship to the ewe, mostly because it was a little bit more even in the wool.