Boonong Park takes Hampshire Down glory

Boonong Park, Langwarrin, won the title with a 2016-drop ewe with a six week-old lamb at foot.

She won champion Hampshire Down ewe at the Sydney Royal Show earlier this year, then won her class at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.

She was unable to be shown at Hamilton’s Sheepvention next, as she was in the middle of lambing.

But the stud’s Kane Hildred said she was too handy of a ewe not to bring her along to Melbourne.

“She’s got everything going for her, she’s a big ewe, but still correct,” Mr Hildred said.

It was only the second year the stud has shown at the Melbourne Show.

And the ewe beat out the champion ram, by Jurambula Hampshire Down stud, Henty, NSW, who according to stud principal Helen Raven, was the best ram they have ever bred.

“He’s the end result of 16 years of breeding, he’s got all the best qualities from our best genetics in him,” Ms Raven said.

She said he is a well-muscled ram, who despite carrying a lot of weight, was carrying all meat with little fat.