Conrayn claims their first supreme title at Armidale

Coordinated by the Northern Merino Ram Breeders Association, the two-day event saw some 70 rams shown and sold at the Armidale showground. 

The judges for the show were National Future Farmers director Dan Korff, Wagga Wagga, (ultra superfine and superfine wools) and Grogansworth Merino stud owner Kim Henderson, Bowning, (fine and fine medium wools). The winner of the sheep junior judging competition held in conjunction with the event, Cilla Clonan, Armidale, joined them for some classes on the day. 

An impressive line up of 21 rams entered in the open March shorn ultra superfine wool ram section kicked of the main classes for the day, with first place being award to Conrayn M29465 exhibited by the Lette family from Conrayn Merinos, Berridale. 

But the Conrayn ram did not stop its winning streak there. 

The ram went on to be awarded the Cameron Cox Memorial trophy for the champion ultra superfine wool March shorn ram before being named the GrazeAg Bayer supreme exhibit of the show, a title yet to have been won by the Conrayn stud. 

Conrayn M29465 was sired by the Merryville Bob ram and weighed 111.5 kilograms. It measured 15.8 in the micron with a standard deviation (SD) of 2.5, fibre diameter coefficient of variation (CV) of 15.82 per cent and comfort factor (CF) or 99.95pc. 

The Kurrajong Park, Yoorooga and Glenbrook studs reserve grand champion ram title went to the Davis family from Demondrille Merino stud, Harden, with their champion fine wool ram. 

Demondrille M30685 was by the Merryville 1782 ram and weighed 114kg. It measured 16.9 in the micron, 2.9 SD, 17.16pc CV and 100pc CF. 

Reserve champion ultra superfine wool March shorn ram was exhibited by Grathlyn Merino stud, Mudgee. The Grathlyn M28422 ram was sired by the home-bred Grathlyn Brilliant 11-69 ram and weighed 121kg. It had a micron of 16.2 with a SD of 2.78, a 17.16pc CV and 99.95pc CF. 

The van Eyk family from Shalimar Park Merinos, Walcha, won the Sperry Conventry Memorial trophy from the champion superfine wool March shorn ram with their M30057 ram. Sired by the Nerstane 910 ram, it weighed 106kg and measured 17.2 in the micron, 2.83 SD, 16.45pc CV and 100pc CF.

Reserve champion superfine wool March shorn ram went to the Wal and George Merriman from Merryville stud, Boorowa, with their Merryville M30924 ram sired by the Grand Monach 44^th ram. It weighed 102kg with measurements of 17.5 in the micron, 2.8 SD, 16.1pc CV and 100pc CF. 

Champion fine wool ram was the Demondrille M30685 ram that went on to be awarded the reserve grand champion title. 

Reserve champion fine wool March shorn ram went to Airlie M30120 exhibited by the Power family from Airlie Merinos, Walcha. It was by the Nerstane 231 ram and weighed 129kg with a 19.1 micron, 3.51 SD, 18.38pc CV and 99.45pc CF. 

Airlie Merinos continued their success receiving champion fine medium wool March shorn ram with their Airlie M30117 exhibit. Sired by One Oak 14 it weighed 114.5kg and measured 17.2 in the micron, 2.9 SD, 16.86pc CV and 99.95pc CF. 

Reserve champion went to Merryville M30889 exhibited by the Merryville Merino stud, Boorowa. It was sired by a Ringmaster syndicate ram and measured 18.1 micron, 3.36 SD, 18.56pc CV and 99.6pc CF with a body weight of 120.5kg. 

The Rayner family from Grathlyn Merino stud, Mudgee, clean up the August shorn ram section taking home the champion and reserve champion titles.

Champion went to the Grathlyn A24021 ram sired by Wanganella 816. It weighed 94kg and measured 15.9 in the micron, 2.8 SD, 17.61pc CV with a CF of 100pc.

Reserve champion was the Grathlyn A24026 ram that measured 15.5 in the micron, 2.72 SD, 17.55pc CV and 100pc CF with a body weight of 88.5kg. It was sired by the Wanganella 14-1239 ram. 

Champion Poll Merino ram went to the Clonan family from Alfoxton Merinos, Armidale, with their Alfoxton M29964 ET fine wool ram. Sired by the Poll Boonoke 130020 ram from Alfoxton 100143 ET, it weighed 133.5kg and measured 16.0, 3.06 SD, 19.13pc CV with a CF 99.8pc. 

M29964 was also the winner of the Poll fine wool March shorn section. 

The Ballinger family from Waverley Downs Poll Merinos, Delungra, exhibited the reserve champion Poll Merino ram. The M29138 ram weighed 90kg and was 17.6 in the micron with a 2.71 SD, 15.4pc CV and 100pc CF. It was sired by the GLP 367 (Poll) ram. 

Claiming the pen of three rams title for the fourth year in a row was the Power family from Airlie Merino stud, “Iona”, Walcha. They were selected for their overall “consistency” through their three rams. 

The Alfoxton stud continued their success during the show section with their other ram, M29966, being named the winner of the production class. Judged by both Dan Korff, Wagga Wagga, and Kim Henderson, Bowning, the section considered the animal’s wool, weight, frame and scans for eye muscle depth and fat depth to identify the ‘most productive’. 

The M29966 winner was the heaviest ram in the shed at 139.5kg and measured 18.6 in the micron, 3.04 SD, 16.34pc CV and 99.9pc CF. It was sired by the home-bred ram Alfoxton 140018 ET from the Alfoxton 120130 AI ewe. 

Judges commended the sheep for its “overall scale, length, depth and beautiful carcase and structure while cutting a lot of wool.”

The show was followed by a meet and greet sponsored by Smith, Sharpe and Abbott accountants, Armidale.