Merino judging at the Sydney Royal Show kicked off on Monday, with champions announced in the ultrafine wool and superfine wool and other wool categories.
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It was great being a Grathlyn ultrafine merino as the stud took home nine ribbons from their classes for ultrafine wool.
Ultrafine Merino Grand Champion ram was awarded to Shamliar Park stud, Joe Van Eyk for ram 88 Shamliar Park showing 6 teeth, which had a micron of 16.4, a standard deviation (SD) of 2.8, a Co-efficient Variation (CV) of 17.1 and a Comfort Factor (CF) of 99.8 per cent. The reserve Grand Champion went to ram 60 of Grathlyn.
Judge Danny Picker, Hillcreston Park, Bigga, said the ram had correct well balanced structure and beautiful wool.
The Ultrafine Grand champion merino ewe and was awarded to Grathlyn stud, Max Rayner and son Andrew with their ewe 91 Grathlyn. The ewe boasted a micron of 16.5, a SD of 2.8, a CV of 17 and a CF of 99.6. The Grathlyn stud was also awarded reserve with ewe 66.
Both of the merino ewes were commended on their beautiful, stylish wool and correct structure.
The Superfine Grand Champion ram was taken out by Conrayn stud, Peter Lette, Berridale with ram 82 Conrayn, which was exhibited by Cade Lette. The ram had a micron of 15.6, a SD of of 2.4, a CV of 15.4 and a CF of 99.9. The reserve grand champion was awarded to Grathlyn Merino Stud with their ewe 108.
With a stand out ram like that there is no doubt about it, with plenty of stylish wool and is a fantastic six tooth said, Judge Aaron Granger, Rogara Stud, South of Goulburn, NSW.
Grathlyn ewe 117 went on to take out the Grand Champion ewe for Superfine wool, exhibited by Andrew Rayner. The grand champion ewe from the Grathlyn stud had a micron of 18, a SD of 3.1, a CV of 18.5, and a CF of 99.8. The reserve grand champion was placed to Nerstane Merino Stud with their ewe 147.
It was hard to come between the two, both had exceptional fleece qualities, but it was the Grathlyn ewe with its long staple quality that got it over the line, said Judge Aaron Granger.
The Lette family of the Conrayn Merino Stud also took out the Supreme Merino Exhibit with their 6-tooth ram 82, whilst also taking home the Sir Frederick McMaster Memorial Perpetual Trophy for the most successful March shorn sheep exhibitor.
Judge Danny Picker said the Supreme merino ram was a very worthy ribbon recipient.
