ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW: Dorset Down

Supreme: Woodhall, New Gisborne

Champion ram: Woodhall

Champion ewe: Woodhall

Dorset Down judge Peter Button, Minlaton, SA, has described the breed's supreme exhibit as a "stunning" example of the sheep.

The supreme exhibit also came third in the shortwool interbreed championships.

Woodhall Dorset Down stud principal Colin Chapman said the ewe was a very fine representative, of the breed.

"He said she was a stunning ewe, in beautiful proportions and with great potential," Mr Chapman said.

Mr Chapman said the stud used Lamplan objective measurements, in conjunction with show results, to try to continually improve what it was doing.

"She's about there, I think we are seeing continual improvement, coming through, when you have sheep like this."

She pipped the champion ram, which weighed 97 kilograms.

The ram was scanned with a muscle depth of 38 millimetres, a muscle width of 77mm, a fat depth of 5mm and a muscle area of 22.5 square centimetres.

Mr Chapman said Woodhall had been breeding Dorset Down sheep since 1945.

"There are only about five or six registered studs now, so we refresh our flock, now and again, with semen from New Zealand," he said.

"We are making good progress in our breeding program and we sell quite a few rams."

Most rams went to other breeders, but he said Woodhall also crossed them with Corriedales.

"We sell those through the butchers, with the lamb prices being quite good, at the moment, that's been quite successful."

Dorset Down sheep were placid, hardy and adaptable.

"Their lambs are fast growing and good lean animals."