ACROSS the country, Merino studs are preparing their best rams for the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show and Sale.
Show and sale president, Matt Coddington, Roseville Park Merinos, Dubbo, said 700 sheep from 50 studs out of South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW will converge on Dubbo for the event.
Buyers will also come from across the country and compete with international purchasers for the chance to secure the best quality Merino rams in Australia.
The best quality Merinos in Australia are in Dubbo.
- Matt Coddington, Dubbo.
“Rams have previously sold to Argentina, New Zealand and Uruguay,” Mr Coddington said.
“Some of the top studs hold their rams over for this sale. It hosts the best quality in the country,” he said.
Beginning on August 22, the three-day program is shaping up to be another blockbuster featuring the schools’ wether challenge, flock ewe competition, ram sale and sheep and fleece show.
A farm expo will also provide a one-stop shop for producers with a field-day like vibe that even includes clothing displays.
Judges for the event include Alex Wilson, Crookwell, Michael Peden, Goulburn, Simon Barr, Henty, Peter Stockman, SA, and Grantly Mullan, WA.
They will join forces to form a panel of judges for the prestigious Rabobank National 2017 Australian Supreme Merino Ram.
This competition brings together the champion ram of each state Merino sheep show to battle it out for the supreme title which will be announced at a cocktail party on August 23.
State representatives include Qld ram of the year shown by Mount Ascot Merinos, Mitchell, who won the state sheep show held in Charleville.
Jock MacRae from Eilan Donan stud, Elphinstone, Victoria, will be exhibiting the Victorian representative who won supreme exhibit at the 2017 Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.
The representative from NSW will be selected at the Merino National prior to the supreme competition. Rams from SA and WA are yet to be judged.
The 2016 supreme ram of the year recipient was Conrayn Merino stud, Berridale.
With an increase in interest in Merino sheep and favourable market trends, the numbers at the event could be at an all time high.
The selected charity for this year’s Rabobank National Merino Show and Sale is the Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal.
Fleece Entries Expect to be High
WOOL from across the country will take part in the National Merino Sheep Show and Sale fleece competition on August 22.
Australian Wool Network (AWN) central and western manager, Brett Cooper, Mudgee, said the number of entries was hard to gauge until the morning of the event.
“Previous years have seen entries up to 196 fleeces. With the upturn in the wool market and increased interest in Merinos, it’s possible we will have a good showing this year,” he said.
The judges are AWN Queensland and northern NSW regional manager, Harold Manttan, Uralla, and AWN sheep and wool specialist at Longreach, Greg Hunt.
Categories are ultra-fine, housed, un-housed, flock growers and commercial value.
Fleeces can be donated to support the Sir Ivan Bushfire Appeal.
