Poll Boonoke top Riverina ram

Announced at the sixth annual Elders Riverina Sheep Expo in Deniliquin last Friday, judge Robert Harding, Glen Donald Merino stud, Nhill, said the champion ram was "big and extremely well-woolled".

"He stands very well, and showed a bit more shine in his wool," Mr Harding said.

"He is a credit to the Poll breed, and is the type of sheep that the wool industry needs."

A poll ram taking out the prize validated the early vision of the Falkiner stud.

In 1934, they selected the best eight rams from the 12 polled lambs that had been among the 9000 rams dropped on Boonoke in 1933, and formed the No 1 Poll Merino stud.

FS Falkiner & Sons operations manager Justin Campbell, Boonoke, NSW, said the ram was a long-bodied sire with deeply crimped lustrous wool that covered the whole of his body.

In what was his last appearance at this annual event, Graham Wells took out the Riverina Merino Ewe of the Year with a female from his One Oak Merino stud, Jerilderie, NSW.

Mr Harding complimented each of the four ewes contesting the award, but went for the One Oak exhibit for its "superb wool and beautiful covering."

In the Performance Ewe of the Year class judged by Mark Yates, Barwon Poll Dorset and White Suffolk studs, Yerong Creek, a Poll Dorset ewe exhibited by Ian and Helen Gray, Graythorn stud, Bunnaloo, NSW, was awarded the sash.

Graythorn also took home this award in 2013.

Mr Yates also judged the Performance Ram of the Year.

Out of a strong lineup, he selected a White Suffolk ram exhibited by Guy Treweeke "Induro" White Suffolk stud, Wakool to be the champion.

In his closing comments, Mr Yates said that all the rams exhibited were "fantastic animals, but the White Suffolk got the nod for his overall balance."

"If they are not structurally sound, I don't care what the figures say," he said.

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