MORE THAN 70 people joined the convoy of buses, cars and utes to celebrate the Lake Cargelligo Maiden Merino Ewe Competition 20th anniversary on Friday January 30.
Nine sheep producers entered the competition including stalwart Maree Stockman, who is the only producer to have entered a flock in the competition each year.
Russell Jones, Darriwell Merino stud, Trundle was the associate judge in the inaugural competition in 1996 so it was fitting that he should return to celebrate the event's 20th year.
Mr Jones has been a guest judge five times in the competition's history.
"Since I was last here (2008) everyone has gotten their fertility up," Mr Jones said.
Second guest judge Kim Henderson, Grogansworth Merino stud, Bowning is not far behind, tallying up three appearances as the competition's judge over the two decades, including the 10 year celebrations.
"We are seeing a resurgence of young people at events like this and it's really encouraging to see," Mr Henderson said.
The winning flock of maiden ewes was described as a "stud quality" flock "oozing genetics" by the judges.
The ewes were bred by Peter and Meegan McCarten and family, McCarten Farms, "Nargoon", Rankins Springs, who placed third in 2014 and first the year before.
Their 20-month-old ewes were Wanganella-blood with six-months wool on them with a micron of 21.1um, an average cut of 8.74 kilograms and yield of 61.4 per cent at shearing.
The McCartens run 1738 breeding ewes and achieved a lambing percentage of 106 per cent last year.
The flock was classed by Michael Elmes, Smart Stock, Narrandera at a rate of 30pc.
Judges Russell Jones, Darriwell Merino stud, Trundle and Kim Henderson, Grogansworth Merino stud, Bowning said the presentation of the ewes was indicative of very long, top quality breeding.
"It doesn't matter which pen you go into, they're as even as peas in a pod," Mr Henderson said.
"The wool cut is superb. They're big but still shearable," Mr Jones said.Coming in second was "one of the best commercial flocks" Mr Jones said he had seen.
The Rossiter family, Youngara Partnership, Ungarie with their Haddon Rig-blood flock placed second and also won the Spectator's Choice award, as selected by tour participants votes.
Classed by Andy McLeod, Dubbo, the 19-month-old Youngara flock recorded a 20.5-micron, an average cut of 8.5 kilograms and 65pc yield.
The breeding flock of 1340 ewes was usually culled at 32pc.
Mr Henderson said he remembered telling the Rossiters to "sell the mob and start over" when he last judged 10 years ago.
"You have blown me away," he said. "You have stuck with it and have presented some magnificent sheep, it's a credit to you."
In third place was Betty and Phillip Hall, "Trelynne", Weethalle, with their Avenel-blood flock.
The Hall's 18-month-old maiden ewes had 19.8-micron wool, averaging a cut of 8.5kg and yielding 62.5pc.
The Hall's have been on Avenel-blood for 17 years, aiming to breed large framed sheep with well nourished wool.
Avenel's Colin McCrabb classed the flock at a rate of 26pc which was described as "great examples of wool" by Mr Henderson.
"These ewes have lovely deep bodies with plenty of productivity," he said. "There is not a speck of wool problem. I do like the softness of their heads, it's indicative of beautiful medium wool throughout."
Mr Jones said he thought it was a great mob of ewes which could benefit from heavier culling.
"The only way to improve is to cut but I love the back ends and the flanks are good- a generally great mob of ewes."
The Worland brothers, Worland Family Trust, Four Corners and the Hart family, Hart's Pastoral Company, Lake Cargelligo were both recipients of encouragement awards.
The celebrations also marked wool classing milestones, presented by Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) chief executive officer Mark Grave.
Ken McCrabb, Bill Worland and Doug Worland were all recognised by Mr Grave, who presented a certificate and commemorative stencil for the men who had been registered wool classers for 50 years.
