Stamping itself as one of the premier events on the New South Wales Merino calendar, the Berridale Merino Ewe Competition proved the worth of breeding top class Merino sheep on the Monaro.
Run under the auspices of the Berridale Agricultural Bureau, the competition is in it’s 87th year and continues to attract producers keen to improve their Merino flocks.
Current president, Lawrence Clifford, said 11 producers entered flocks for consideration by judges Warick Kopp, Towalba Merino stud, Peak Hill, and Rick Power, Landmark Merino specialist, Grenfell.
“Breeders enter so they can improve the quality of their sheep through stiff competition,” Mr Clifford said.
“We get good judges, so they are giving us good comments, and it is up to each entrant to work out what they can do to improve their sheep.”
The flock awarded the John Mooney Trophy for Overall Winner, were bred by Doug Constance, “Werralong”, Berridale, who has been an entrant in the competition for the past 15 years..
The “Werralong” flock has been bred on Cottage Park genetics for the past six years, and Mr Constance noted his average grown flock fleece weight of eight kilograms measuring 19.5 to 20-micron is a reflection on the quality of the rams he purchases.
“I always learn a bit each competition, and I can see a definite improvement in my flock,” Mr Constance said.
“My aim is to produce long stapled, soft woolled fleeces on big sheep.”
Mr Power complimented Mr Constance on the quality of his sheep.
“They are large framed with lots of volume,” Mr Power said.
“Their wool is really soft, and the sheep are very square in the body.
“The top end are an absolute credit to him.”
Mr Kopp said wool growers are “in the game to fill wool packs” and the sheep on display are doing that.
“It is an amazing flock – there are some tighter types, but overall they are a great line of ewes,” Mr Kopp said.
“The ultimate aim in commercial sheep is to grow lots of wool, and they are doing that.”
Mr Constance was also awarded the Hazeldean Trophy for flock over 500 ewes, the Cottage Park Trophy for first in medium/strong section and the John Coy People’s Choice Award.
Dean and Marcelle Incher, “Mayfield”, Dry Plains, were awarded the Manawa Trophy for flock under 500 ewes, for their draft of Greendale blood maiden ewes.
Mr Incher said he is trying to run a profitable business through wool cut and lambing percentage.
“They are our main profit drivers and that is what we focus on,” Mr Incher said.
Mr Kopp noted the style of wool grown.
“We could see the emphasis on beautiful wool type, with great lock and softness,” he said.
The Elders Trophy for fine wool was awarded to David Fraser, “Timaroo”, Cooma, while Neil Adams, “Wahroon”, Cooma, won the Mildon Trophy for hoggets.
Most improved prize went to Raymond Crowe, “Rosemont”, Berridale, and Robert Hain, “Glengyle”, Berridale, won the Greg McGufficke Trophy for First in Novice entry.
