JOHN Corby believes he has learnt more about Merino sheep in the past six years than the past 40, and that's thanks to his involvement in the Taralga Region Flock Ewe Competition.
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Mr Corby cites the collaborative learning experience as the highlight of the competition, not necessarily winning - although this is a bonus.
Mr Corby received the top gong in the 2014 competition, the 10th year it has been held, and it follows a good run of success in the past six years for the farmer.
He has placed in the top five during the years of his involvement, but it was his turn to shine this time, with competition judges selecting his flock ahead of a solid field of seven other entrants.
Mr Corby runs his sheep across two properties, the 144-hectare "Hilltop" at Myrtleville, south of Taralga, and about another 140 hectares at "Chums", Bannaby, east of town.
He believes the ewe competition has been of great benefit to local Merino producers.
"I think everybody's sheep in the district have improved out of sight," he said.
"The ewe competition has been a great learning experience for me, and the judges for the competition are always very good."
This year's competition judges were Malcolm Peak, Bogo Merino stud, Yass, and Warwick Kopp, Towalba Merino stud, Peak Hill.
Both judges had awarded Mr Corby the highest category for wool quality and character, presentation, and conformation, structure and size.
One of the judges scored him full marks for both presentation and culling percentage.
Mr Corby has been on both Rogara and Carrabungla bloodlines, but has more recently purchased five rams from Michael Corkhill's Grassy Creek Merino stud at Rugby.
He has purchased those rams during the past two years.
"We used to buy Border Leicesters from Michael's father, but I saw some of his Merinos and I thought they were magnificent sheep," he said.
Mr Corby said Michael had a great passion for his sheep, and he admired the rams for their big frames.
He joins his ewes for a September 1 lambing.
In 2013, Mr Corby joined 318 ewes and marked 325 lambs.
The year before, he joined 315 ewes and marked 320 lambs, while in 2011 he joined 295 ewes and marked 285 lambs.
The fibre diameter of his flock measured 19 microns in 2011, 19.3 in 2012 and 19.2 in 2013.
The hoggets measured 17.9 microns in 2011, 18.4 microns in 2012 and 18.2 microns in 2013.
Mr Corby said he was aiming for a 19.5-micron fibre diameter.
Meanwhile, he cuts an average fleece weight of 4.5 kilograms and this figure is growing.
"With the Grassy Creek rams we are hoping to get (a heavier) cut," he said.
He shears his ewes just before lambing, on about August 25, while the maiden ewes are shorn about a month later."
Mr Corby runs about 500 Merino ewes at "Hilltop" and about 600 crossbred ewes at Bannaby.
Pasture varieties on both properties comprise ryegrass, cocksfoot, clovers and natural grasses, although soil types vary between the two properties.
"Hilltop" has basalt soils while at Bannaby the soils trends toward red basalt.
Mr Corby plans to increase his Merino ewe numbers by about 100 ewes, now he has moved away from the Border Leicester stud.
He also plans to enter the ewe competition again next year; "it would be good to get in the final five again".
Nick Heydon
The Land's property editor.
The Land's property editor.
