With over 400 stud and flock sheep entered for the 65th Hay Merino Sheep Show, competition was keen with 42 studs exhibiting their sheep along with a full house of commercial producers vying for the various honors.
Judges for this years show were Max Wilson, “Wilgunyah”, Dirranbandi, QLD, for the August-shorn medium and strong wools, Greg Andrews, “Hamilton Run”, Jamestown, SA, for the March-shorn strong wool section, James Armstrong, “Cassilis Park”, Coolah, for the March-shorn medium wool classes, and Matt Ashby, “Ashrose North”, Gulnare, for the flock and unhoused stud classes.
They were assisted by associate judges, Alec Merriman, Ben Wilson and Alistair Turner.
The Riverina Wool Australian Champion Hogget Ram was awarded to the White River Poll Merino stud, Minnipa, SA, operated by John and Wes Daniell.
They had previously been successful in 2010.
Judge, Greg Andrews, Hamilton Run Poll Merinos, Jamestown, SA, said the ram was “an outstanding sheep … we really can’t fault him.”
Supreme exhibit was awarded to the Grand Champion strong wool ram paraded by Brett Meyer for his families Mulloorie Merino stud, Brinkworth, SA.
The ram was awarded the Bob and Anne Rollinson Perpetual Trophy for Grand Champion ram, along with the Bill Lamb Trophy for Supreme Exhibit.
Mr Meyer was repeating his success at the 2015 Hay Sheep Show.
The Family of Charles Mills Uardry Perpetual Trophy for Grand Champion Ewe was presented by Alice Bowman, “Nullabor Homestead”, Hay, great great great grand daughter of Charles Mills to Dennis and John Dalla, Orrie Cowie, Warooka, SA.
The Neilson Mills Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Exhibitor of Five Sheep, was awarded to the Orrie Cowie Poll Merino stud, Warooka, SA, operated by the Dalla family.
The most successful exhibitor in the stud section taking home the Andrew Lockhart Memorial was the Terrick West Poll Merino stud, Prairie, Victoria, with Ross McGauchie and his daughter Claire parading their sheep.
The most successful exhibitor in the stud unhoused section, awarded the Fox and Lillie special prize was Stephen and Carol Huggins, Woodpark Poll Merinos, “Eurolie”, Hay.
The Gavin Johnston Snr Memorial for champion unhoused ewe was awarded to the Wells family, Willandra Merions, Jerilderie, and they also won the Tapper Agri Services/Landmark prize for champion ewe hogget.
In the flock section, The Hay Merino Breeders Inc. John Storey Perpetual Trophy for Pen of Five Merino Ewes was won by “Burrabogie”, Hay, the property of Australian Food and Agriculture.
The most successful exhibitor in the flock section was the Gibson family, “Croidon”, Hay, and they also showed the Champion flock ewe, winning the Sandy Circuitt and family Trophy.
The Gibson family were awarded Riverina Wool and Clark Ultrasound Services prize for champion pen of flock hoggets, plus the Geoff Norman Memorial Trophy for champion ewe hogget.
The Mick Huntly Memorial for a pen of five ewes bred north of the Lachlan was one by first-time entrant, David Zouch, manager, “Hollow Mount”, Bigga.
The Les Milliken Memorial Trophy for best two ewes was won by Des and Helen Mohr, “Yarranvale”, Weethalle.
Heidi Stephens from Hay won the Don McNeil Memorial for open judging ahead of Tom Lugsdin, “Warrendale”, Hay and Randall Finchim, “Willurah”, Conargo.
The Ian Munro Memorial for blade shearing was won by Tim Dalla, “Collinsville”, Burra, SA, with the only female entrant, Emily Crozier, Pooncarie, came third.
Show president, Ian Lugsdin said his committee was very pleased with the continued interest shown by stud and flock breeders.
“The show has been gaining strength over the past seven years, and we have excellent sponsorship and lots of support from the industry,” Mr Lugsdin said.
