Sheep judging at the Canberra Royal Show kicked off last Friday, with champions announced in the Australian Whites, Southdown, Poll Dorset, Texel, Dorper and black and coloured breed categories.
Australian Whites Champion Ram was awarded to Timor Sheep Stud principal Jason Barker and his son Ronald for their 2017 drop ram by Tattykeel 429.
Judge Jarrod Alcorn, said the ram had the correct growth pattern for the prime lamb industry.
“With the industry as it is, this ram has the correct carcase. Showing very good muscling and fat cover for his age.”
Southdown Champion Ram went to the West-Ray stud, Bathurst, for a ram which graduated through the milk tooth category.
The ram was exhibited by Jake Webster, Bathurst.
Judges Elizabeth Graham, Ardachy Texels, NZ, and Keith Coble, Kei-vale Dorset Horn, Boorowa, said the ram was a natural winner.
“Very well put together, walked very well also. Good length with plenty of meat. Heading towards top show condition,” Mr Coble said.
Reserve champion went to Clear Hills Southdowns, Goorambat East, Victoria.
Mrs Graham said the Clear Hills ram was very well proportioned for its age.
The Webster family of the West-Ray stud also took out champion ewe with a milk tooth and reserve champion with a 2-tooth ewe.
Judge Keith Coble said the champion ewe was a very worthy ribbon recipient.
“She has a lot of growing to do, but is right up there quality wise. Very well proportioned, walks and stands well.”
The Bobb Ramm trophy for champion Poll Dorset ram was awarded to Garry Armstrong, Armdale stud, Marrar, for a a June 2017 drop ram from Armdale 476.
The ram was from Armdale 476’s first drop of lambs and competing in its first major competition.
Poll Dorset judge Chris Squires, Shirlee Downs, WA, said the winning ram was of outstanding quality.
“Very correct, he has a great top line and a tremendous hind quarter. Plenty of meat and very good upfront. Very strong on his feet.”
The Armstrong family also collected the reserve champion ram, which judge Chris Squires said was very difficult to fault.
“Another very strong sheep from Armdale, it doesn’t quite match the champion but it’s great for the industry to see such strength throughout the category.”
They also won the champion ewe category with a ten month old sired by Ulandi Park 178 from South Australia.
Mr Squires said the ewe had meat in all the right places, with a very good hindquarter.
Reserve champion ewe was awarded to the Closeup Poll Dorset and Suffolk stud, Finley.
Champion Texel Ram went to the Monkitee stud, Braidwood Central School, for a woolly ram.
Texel judge Peter Matus, Tara stud, Rockley, said the ram ticked all the boxes.
“Beautiful muscling throughout. He has a great sirey head and is very correct.”
The same breeders won reserve champion for a shorn ram.
They also took home champion and ceserve Champion awards in the female section.
Judge Elizabeth Graham said the champion ewe was a deserving winner.
“Overall a very well put together sheep. Lots of meat in the hind quarters. A very feminine head as well.”
Winner of the ultrafine/superfine black and coloured champion ram was Anne Barnes, Werwona Park, Yass.
Reserve Champion went to Chevalier College, Bowral.
Judge Keith Coble said both rams were a credit to their breeders.
“The champion was well put together, with beautiful coverage. Very fine in style and type. The reserve was less mature but another great woolly sheep.”
Chavalier College also won champion and reserve Champion in the ewe category.
Fine wool black and coloured champion ram went to Werwona Park.
Champion strong wool ram was offered by Alan Bertram, Delco Stud, Bargo.
Elizabeth Graham said the champion had a superior top line to the rest of the competition.
Reserve Champion strong wool ram came from Chavalier College, as did the two tooth ewe which took out Champion Strong Wool Ewe.
Delco Stud, Bargo, were awarded Reserve champion ewe.
Anne Barnes, Werwona Park, Yass, won then went on to win grand champion black and coloured ram with a 15-month old Merino, which was later crowned supreme black and coloured exhibit.
Judge Keith Coble said it was a unanimous decision.
“Very strong sheep with beautiful wool. Well covered, very nice type just like a real Merino should be and very soft handling.”
The grand champion black and coloured ewe was offered by Chevalier College.
Paul Edwards and Gary Rawlings, Torchwood Dorpers, Yass, did a clean sweep of all the Dorper champion and reserve champion awards in the ram and ewe categories.
Dorper judge Jarrod Alcorn, said the champion ram had tremendous carcase.
“He had tremendous structure for his age. The reserve ram had great muscling for his age and great finishing ability.”
