Supremes set high standard at Canberra

It’s a prelude to Sydney Royal, so receiving a top gong sets the expected tone when entering the ring at Homesbush bay in April. 

In the superfine section, the Lette family of Conrayn stud, Berridale, took the supreme superfine title with their two-tooth March shorn ram.

The ram, carrying a 17.4-micron fibre diametre fleece, 2.4 standard deviation (SD), and 99.9 per cent comfort factor (CF), was earlier judged the junior champion Merino ram of the show. 

Superfine judge Will Gibson from New Zealand, said he judged some magnificent sheep during the course of the day, but he went with the March shorn ram for his overall presence.

“He has a sirey muzzle, great white wool, and plenty of length and guts in his fleece,” Mr Gibson said.

“He could do some great things for the superfine wool industry.” 

Taking the fine wool supreme title was a six-tooth March shorn ram exhibited by the Merriman family of Merryville stud, Boorowa. 

The ram, which originally won its six-tooth and over March shorn fine wool class was then sashed champion fine wool ram before being named the fine wool supreme.

Part of this ram’s successful history includes receiving the major gong at the Great Southern Supreme Merino (GSSM) with supreme exhibit. 

Fine wool judge, James Derrick, Karoola Downs Poll Merino stud, Gundagai, said he was a well balanced ram.

“He is a heavy cutting sheep with a good length of staple for that type of sheep,” Mr Derrick said. 

In the medium strong wool section, Merryville also took out the supreme ribbon with their large stature four-tooth Poll Merino ram. 

James Barron, Adina stud, Cooma, judge of the medium/strong wool section, said he was a balanced, even sheep that stands up well. 

He was originally sashed the grand champion Poll Merino ram whilst another Boorowa stud, Merrignee, exhibited the grand champion Poll Merino ewe. 

Backing up from their stellar showing at last year’s Canberra Royal Show, Susie and Winston McDonald, Royalla Merinos, Wallendbeen, took away both the champion March shorn and August shorn pair titles with a ram and ewe. 

Adding to their success, they also exhibited champion August shorn fine wool ram, from any age class, which went on to take out the overall champion August shorn ram title. 

The July-2015 drop ram, Royalla-163, was by a Royalla stud ram and out of a Royalla ewe. 

Their successful showing was capped off with a champion August shorn ewe sash as well as reserve champion superfine wool ram. 

It was a popular choice when the junior champion ewe was announced, for it was the stud’s first major ribbon. New Plains Merino stud, Blayney, operated by the Hoadley family, were awarded the junior title after first winning the superfine two-tooth ewe class.

By Merryville Brilliant and out of a New Plains stud ewe, it was the March shorn ewe’s second only show, but first broad ribbon. She had fleece measurements of 17.3-micron fibre diametre, 16.8 CV, 2.9 SD and 99.7 CF. 

Stud co-principal Jason Hoadley, said her next destination is the Sydney Royal in April.