WETHERS from a Canowindra Merino flock were runners-up for the second consecutive year in the Ovens Valley Wether Production Trial in Victoria.
The team of five came from the "Ermington" commercial flock of brothers James and Ryan Dawson, with an average wool value just $1.72 behind the winning team entered by the McClelland family, Archdale, Vic.
McClelland brothers' wethers grew the highest value fleeces which averaged $84.80 against the Dawson brother's team at $83.08.
Results are from the second shearing of a total of 35 teams of five 2012 drop wethers participating in the three-year trial from Kyneton and the Pyrenees in Victoria to Yass and Canowindra.
The Dawson team of Winyar blood grew an average 9.93 kilograms total fleece weight of 19.9 micron wool yielding 76.6 per cent against the winning team of 10.76kg average of 23.3 micron.
Their 175 whethers have run together on improved perennial pastures over undulating volcanic soil on a block between Everton and Beechworth.
Trial co-organiser, Rex Bennett, said last autumn was a good season but there was a short spring and a long dry summer.
"We had rain in the past six weeks from the late autumn break but not enough to spoil the fleeces.
"These were commercial sheep run under commercial conditions and they held up well - it was most definitely a successful benchmarking tool."
The top five teams produced fleeces that averaged $80-plus.
The "Ermington" flock also produced the most valuable fleece which yielded 82.6pc and figures of 19.4 micron, 8.69kg greasy fleece weight, 11.01kg total wool weight and $101.05 value.
Last year Ermington's team also placed second with the second highest average wool cut of 8.18kg and second individual commercial fleece weight and third highest individual fleece weight.
The brothers' grandfather, Allan Dawson, of Winyar stud, Canowindra, is conducting an Advancing Genetic Potential field day on the property on Friday, July 3 from 10am.
Speakers include sheep classer Michael Elms (skin and wool production); stud stock consultant Rick Power (EMD and fat, plus shape importance); Windridge Farms manager Ben Lane (aspects of ASBV); DPI sheep officer Tracy Lamb (understanding the use of ASBV) and CEVA Animal Health consultant Martin Preuss (use of Regulin for tighter lambing percentages - fecundity increase).
