Supreme champion: Faraday, Penguin, Tas
Champion ewe: Allendale, Bordertown, SA
Reserve: Valley Vista, Coolac, NSW
Champion ram: Faraday
Reserve: Valley Vista
IT WAS first-time lucky for Faraday, who after entering Poll Dorsets into the Royal Melbourne Show for the first year ever, walked away with the supreme champion ribbon.
But it was more than just luck that contributed to the Penguin, Tasmania, stud’s ram coming out on top; it came from years of breeding, and out of a small flock, only 120 ewes.
Stud principal Paul Day was blown away by the win, and said after a big showing season, it was rewarding to win supreme.
“We went to the Adelaide Show and then the Australasian Dorset Championships in Bendigo, so we’ve been on the boat to the mainland three times in the last month,” Mr Day said.
But he said it’s all been worth it, to get the name of the stud out there.
“Being from Tasmania, the stretch of water makes it a bit difficult to get people from the mainland to buy your rams,” he said.
“But winning ribbons like this definitely helps increase our exposure.”
The June 2017-drop ram weighed 142 kilograms, had a 10 millimetre fat depth, 58mm muscle depth and 105mm width.
Mr Day said these figures represent what he has been striving to breed.
“They’re a meat breed, so this is what it’s all about, how much meat you can get on the animal,” he said.
Visually, he said the ram had been a standout from a young age.
“He’s got that extra length on him, and clean points,” he said.
The ram has already been used in the flock, with lambs dropping four weeks ago, and he said they are already looking promising.
And judge Grant Hausler, Janmac Poll Dorset stud, Goroke, had nothing but positives to say about the supreme ram.
“He’s exactly what you’re looking for in a meat sheep, he’s heavy without being extreme, got good structure, bone and hindquarter, and walks freely,” Mr Hausler said.
He said if only the ram could be joined to the champion ewe, as they would make a perfect pair.
The champion ewe was by Alastair Day, Allendale Poll Dorset stud, Bordertown, SA, and she wasn’t shy of success, having won champion Poll Dorset ewe and then reserve champion shortwool ewe at the Royal Adelaide Show recently.
Mr Day said the ewe had been a standout since weaning.
“She’s a good sized animal, well-balanced, and with the right amount of meat,” he said.
