Two Texel studs sweep ribbons

It was the second year running Cypress Park principal Ashley Smith from Cardigan Village had claimed the award.

The 123.5-kilogram August 2018-drop ram scanned 9 millimetres of fat, with 50mm muscle depth and 97mm muscle width.

"He's a new bloodline to our stud, Summit Park from Hamilton, that we introduced 12 months ago to change the shape of our sheep a little bit and it seems to have had a bit of an impact," Mr Smith said.

"He's just cut his two teeth, I knew from day one he was one of the best doing lambs I've had.

"He was previously reserve champion at Bendigo [at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show] and will be retained in the stud."

Judge Nick Lawrence of Pinnacle stud at Bordertown, SA, said the ram's extra bone and sire appeal was why it got up on the day.

"When you let him go and walk and see him natural he's a standout and I really like that ram," Mr Lawrence said.

Reserve champion ram was from Donald stud Tullamore Park, and the places were swapped in the ewe judging.

The Russells' Tullamore Park 618-18 was sired by a ram that was supreme Texel at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Bendigo, in 2017.

"She's a well-muscled ewe, with really good figures and she's caught my eye all year," Liz Russell said.