A ram described by judge, Harold Manton, Robe, South Australia, as “only a lamb”, took out supreme champion Border Leicester at this year’s Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo, Victoria.
Breeder, Jamie Buerckner, who runs Bauer Border Leicesters, Ariah Park, said the youngster was still a yearling and was also being prepared for Royal Melbourne Show, which kicks off in September.
Mr Manton was impressed by the quality of the sheep entered through all classes, which was a good sign for the future of Border Leicesters.
“I was particularly impressed with the young ram I gave the championship to. He is a correct sheep and worth the award,” Mr Manton said. “It will be interesting to see where he ends up.”
The sire of the supreme exhibit, Supreme 4th, had been senior champion at the 2016 Sydney Royal Show and was of Mr Buerckner’s own breeding.
The 110.5 kilogram Bauer 21.16, also the junior champion, scanned 11 millimetres of fat and a 46mm deep eye muscle.
“They are exceptional figures for a Border Leicester,” Mr Buerckner said.
Reserve champion ram was exhibited by Jeff Sutton, Wattle Farm Border Leicesters, Temora, with Wattle Farm JJ/15, by Geraldine Gladiator.
Wattle farm also showed reserve junior ram with Wattle Farm 111/16, by Cadell Wonga.
The champion ewe, a twin, 832.16 by Retallack Left Handed was bred and exhibited by Graham and Isabella Grinter, Retallack stud, Ariah Park, and was of pure Retallack blood.
The ewe also won junior champion, repeating its success at this year’s Sydney Royal, and was similarly placed at Royal Canberra Show 2017.
Reserve ewe, Retallack 399.15, by Retallack Exceed and Excell , was also exhibited by the Retallack. Reserve junior ewe, Two-Dot ????, by ????, was bred and shown by David Jackson, Two-Dot Station, Moyston, Victoria.
Most successful exhibitor was the Retallack stud.