RETURNING to maiden ewe competition after a break of four years, Andrew and Catherine Koop also returned to the winner’s circle at the 2017 West Wyalong Merino ewe fixture last week.
Their 19.7 micron average “Winnora” flock at Girral, based for the past 12 years on Austral-Eden blood won this event for the third time in nine years although placed twice since 2006.
Classed by Austral-Eden studmaster John Johnston the Winnora maidens were 17 to 18 months of age and came from a flock totalling 705 ewes that year achieved 112 per cent lambing.
Culling of the maiden mob was 33pc and the ewes’ average wool cut was 7.62 kilograms with a 64.4pc yield from a June shearing.
Austral-Eden stud has enjoyed bloodline success in the competition in the past couple of decades with commercial clients the Rutledge family, “Kikoira”, Weethalle, winning the fixture in 2006 while the Koop family ewes were placed third.
The Koops also won in 2009 and 2012 while another client Terry and Tera Cattle, “Avonlon”, Mildil, won the competition in 2015 and runner-up in 2016.
Runner-up this year was nearby neighbour Jason Ridley of “Grenoble”, Girral, who has been on Haddon Rig blood for some 44 years.
His maiden ewes at 17 months came from a 32pc culling by classer Paul Kelly from a 1200 head ewe flock growing an average 19.8 microns and performing 105pc lambing.
The flock’s average wool cut is 6.8kg with a 73pc yield from a February shearing.
First prize short wool flock was Darryl and Jo Kitto’s “Goyura” flock at Beckom which is on Pastora blood for the past 10 years and is classed by John Driscoll, The Rock.
The flock of 1830 ewes growing 19 micron wool had a 101pc lambing with 33pc culling.
The flock average wool cut is 7.8kg with a 56pc yield from a March and September shearing.
An encouragement award was presented to Glenn and Rebekah Adler, “Dulce Domo”, Buddigower, whose flock of 2500 ewes growing 18.3 micron wool and lambing 90pc in both the last two lambings.
Their flock shearing in April produces an average 7kg cut while the flock of Pastora blood is also classed by John Driscoll.
Judges were Allan Dawson, Winyar stud, Canowindra, serving his second year with introductory judge, George Henderson, Gragansworth stud, Bowning.
Thirty spectators travelled by air-conditioned bus between the six contesting properties on the 40-plus degree day with wind gusting up to 45 kilometres per hour.
Spectator award picking the judges’ decision was Rod Hardie, “Currawong”, Tallimba, while special guest at the presentation dinner was Barmedman based nutritionist, Nicole Logg of Care 4 Livestock Nutrition Services.
