Shifting what was then the Melbourne Sheep Show to Bendigo has far exceeded the expectations of those involved, according to long-term supporter Ross McGauchie, Terrick West, Prairie.
A past Australian Sheep & Wool Show president and current organising committee member, Mr McGauchie said he was proud of what the event had become.
"The show was having trouble attracting country people and it just didn't have the interest of enough city people and it was just gradually dying," he said.
He said moving the show to the country was part of a trend.
"The Hereford people went to Wodonga and a lot of the machinery displays have gone to field days, back out in the country.
"I don't know anyone in their wildest dreams who would have imagined it growing to what it is now."
He said Terrick West would probably take about seven or eight rams and four ewes, from various classes, to the ASWS this year.
The stud was founded as a horned stud by Edgar McGauchie and his sons Cyril and Eric in 1932.
The polled stud was started in 1954.
"The original sheep came from Koonong and they bought a Bundamar ram early on, and we went across to Haddon Rigg, towards the end of when we ran the horned stud," he said.
"The poll stud was founded on Poll Boonoke.
"There have been a couple of times in my lifetime where the polls have had a bit of a surge forward, then dropped back a bit.
"For the last 20 years and, certainly now, they are very much in the ascendancy."
The stud is now run by Mr McGauchie, wife Robyn and daughter Claire.
Terrick West originally produced 21-22-micron wool.
"Over the past few years we've come back to 18 micron but that hasn't been a deliberate policy to get finer," he said.
"It's been a policy of producing mid-sized sheep and breeding for a better quality wool.
"Rather than breeding a fine wool sheep, we are just breeding the sheep we've always bred - but clearly the wool quality is so much better than it was."
The flock is run on lucerne, sub-rye and cereal stubbles, with a small section of irrigated lucerne.
The stud relies on artificial insemination to maintain its MN3 status.
"It's easier to buy semen," he said.
"In the last few years, we have been looking at Wallaloo Park or Roseville Park.
"They are big 'framey', medium sheep with a good quality fine to medium wool."
Mr McGauchie said Claire had been encouraging him to focus more on sheep breeding values.
"We are going along quietly, to see where they take us," he said.
"I am old enough to be sceptical, but I have enough young people around me to boot me up the backside."
From a stud point of view, he said the ASWS gave enormous coverage, attracting widespread visitors.
"Every sheep-growing state is well represented," he said.
He said many of the highest-priced sheep that were subsequently sold had initially been displayed at Bendigo.
"The main thing about ribbons is they give you the exposure," he said.
"More people say 'gee, that sheep has done well, we will go and have a look at him'.
"And sometimes running second or third gives you as much exposure - when people are surprised by the decision - as does winning."
He said it was good to compare sheep, with those from other breeders.
"When you are standing in a line of 30 or 40 rams, you look up and down and think you've got a good chance," he said.
"Other times you think - back to the drawing board."
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
