Increased entries along with a lift in overall quality of the Corriedale sheep exhibited reflected the rise in sheep and wool prices across the board, and highlighted the true dual purpose characteristics of the breed.
Such was the evenness of sheep displayed in all of the classes, judge Milton Savage, Gambier View and Compton House studs, Bradvale, Victoria admitted he often had difficulty in separating the sheep.
It was an outstanding display of Corriedales and I congratulate all of the breeders, Mr Savage said after concluding his judging of the breed.
The grand champion Corriedale ram was exhibited by Ric Houlahan, Glen Esk stud, Rydal, who recieved the sash for his sheep which had been successful in the two years and older class.
There is a lot of stretch in this ram, with dense fleece covering an excellent carcase, Mr Savage said.
He is holding himself very well in the fleece for a three year old ram.
The grand champion is building on previous show successes, having been awarded the breed championship at the recent Canberra Royal, and was junior champion longwool at Campbelltown Show, Tasmania in 2016.
Mr Houlahan will be preparing his ram for the Australian Sheep and Wool Show to be held in Bendigo in July 2018, at which time the Corriedale World Congress will also be held.
The reserve ram grand championship was awarded to Lithgow High School, Eskbank stud, Lithgow for their ram which had been second to the grand champion ram in the two years and older class.
He just lacked a bit of density of fleece and size when compared to the champion, Mr Savage said.
He could have been an extra ten to 15kg heavier, and next year I think he is going to be a very good ram.
In the Production Class, Glen Esk stud, Rydal was first ahead of two entries from the Badgally stud, St Gregorys College, Campelltown.
The Best Headed Corriedale was paraded by Ben Seymour, Lithgow High School.
In the female section the grand champion ewe was exhibited by the Badgally stud, St Gregorys, Campbelltown.
Their ewe, which had been judged first in the two years and over class, was sired by Wyee Wally, a sire donated by the late Tony Hunter and his wife Jan before they dispersed their South Australian-based stud.
St Gregorys College had approached Tony and Jan Hunter with the intention of purchasing a ram, and they were very pleased to receive the donation.
Mr Savage thought the ewe was a wonderful example of the breed.
She has stood the test of time and is holding the quality of her wool on a deep and wide body, he said.
She also has all the carcase traits I am looking for, good fat cover over a correct body conformation.
Reserve grand champion ewe was exhibited by Ric Houlahan, Glen Esk stud, Rydal for his entry which had graduated through the under one year, showing milk teeth only.
A very good young ewe, and will get better as she gets older, but it was hard for her today coming up against the older ewe who has already proved herself.
The Peter Taylor group was won by the Thompson family, Tymec stud, Laggan ahead of the teams from Badgally stud, Campbelltown and Glen Esk stud, Rydal.
Ric Houlahan, Glen Esk stud, Rydal was the most successful exhibitor.
