For the second consecutive year the Rayner family’s Grathlyn stud, Hargraves, has exhibited the supreme fleece of the Australian Wool Network (AWN) Open Fleece Show from 120 entries.
This year the award went to Grathlyn’s 17 micron superfine champion ram fleece off a son of the 2013 Grathlyn grand champion ulrafine ram of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo, Victoria, and a member of the stud’s winning Australian Merino Pair that year.
The dam of the ram which grew the award winning fleece was a grand champion in her show career and this ram is being retained for use in the stud.
Grathlyn was most successful exhibitor also gaining grand champion ewe fleece with a superfine ewe.
Grathlyn fleeces were also runners-up to both champions in their respective classes.
Judges this year were AWN’s Harold Manttan, northern NSW manager, Uralla and Stephen Maunder, Queensland manager, St George, who were kept on their toes throughout the day and early evening closely examining each fleece entry and supported by an unfaltering group of stewards.
Grassy Creek stud, Rugby, took out champion fine ewe fleece; Kurrajong Park stud, Delungra, champion medium ewe, and Orrie Cowie stud, Warooka, South Australia, the medium ram.
The commercial value winning fleece valued by Don Chad Wool, Dubbo, topped the class at $120.58 for a 21.3 micron fleece shown by the Magill family, Overland stud, Bogan Gate.
