THE winner of the inaugural ANZ and NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship for 2016 is Bill Hurley, “Killanear”, Boorowa.
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Mr Hurley was named the winner of the eight finalists from Crookwell, Gunning, Boorowa and Taralga.
His Demondrille bloodline flock of maiden ewes, with an average fleece line of 18.6-micron, were described by judges Andy Maclean, Haddon Rig, Warren, and Rodger Mathews, Borambil stud, Corowa, as “a very smart mob of sheep that stand well on their feet.”
“They are cutting a good, healthy type jacket of wool,” Mr Mathews said.
“They have a lovely tip on them and a lot of nourishment in the wool.”
“Killanear” sheep are shorn in July with classing carried out by stud principal of Demondrille, Andrew Davis, with a percentage classed out figure of 25.
This is the first time the competitions have joined together to create the Southern Tablelands Regional Championship.
From each of the four competitions the top two flocks were named to then make up the eight flocks vying for the championship title.
Those eight were judged the best commercial flocks from 52 flocks and nearly 17,000 maiden ewes around the district.
The Crookwell competition, boasting 19 entries was won by John and Michael Lowe, “Innisvalle”, Crookwell. They came a reputable second in the regional championship as well as winning the people’s choice award.
Second in the Crookwell competition and third place in the championship went to Geoff and Debbie Selmes, “Wahronga”, Wheeo, also on Royalla bloodlines.
The Dymock family, “West Killanear”, Boorowa, came second in the Boorowa competition were named fourth in the championship lineup. They were the third flock on Royalla blood.
Winning the Gunning competition from 11 entries was Andy and Annie Basnett, “Nerrangundah”, Gunning, on Bogo bloodlines, the average micron for the Basnett’s fleece line is 18.5-micron.
In second place was the Hewitt family “Allamby”, Gunning, who have been on Tallawong blood for the past three years.
Last to show their maiden ewes were the Taralga producers. Nine entrants made their sheep available with Geoff Croker, “Meadow Drive”, Taralga, with his Winyar-blood 20.5-micron ewes taking the title for the first time.
In second place was last year’s winner, Chris and Stephanie Croker, “Ayrston”, Golspie, on the bloodline of Thalabah stud, Laggan.