POLL Merinos moved a further step forward as a breed for the future when a two-tooth fine-medium March-shorn ewe was crowned supreme Merino ewe of the 2018 Sydney Royal Show.
New England-bred two-tooth rams and ewes featured in the Nerstane show team of the McLaren family, Woolbrook, with the 19.2-micron wool ewe having earlier won the two-teeth class judged by Tom Davidson, Moorundie Park stud, Gulnare, South Australia, graduated to champion and junior champion March-shorn Poll Merino ewe, then grand champion and supreme.
Sired by Willandra Desmond, the Walcha show champion ewes wool measurements included a standard deviation (SD) of 3.0 micron with a co-efficient of variation (CV) of 15.6 per cent and a comfort factor (CF) of 99.4pc.
Nerstanes success started in the fine-medium section when placed first with the eventual supreme ewe, while the ewe standing second became reserve champion March-shorn and reserve grand March-shorn champion. The stud also exhibited reserve champion March-shorn ram in this section.
The stud continued its success in the medium wools taking out champion August-shorn ram to become grand champion medium ram and in the fine wool section exhibited the champion ram with all being two-tooths. Its fine wool champion was growing 19.6-micron wool and was sired by Banavie Park 333.
The Poll Merino breed was judged by two stud breeders, Sean Ballinger, Waverley Downs, Delungra, adjudicating over ultrafine, superfine and fine wools, and Tom Davidson, fine-medium, medium and strong wools.
Grenfells Ian and Janet Griffith continued their Brundanella stud success from Januarys Great Southern Supreme Merino (GSSM) fixture by exhibiting the grand champion Poll Merino ram after it was awarded junior Poll fine-medium wool champion.
This was Brundanellas fine-medium March-shorn ram sired by Moorundie Park PB2001 growing 18.2 micron wool with an SD of 2.8 microns, CV of 15.4pc and CF of 99.9pc which had won the two-tooth class.
Brundanella also showed the medium wool March-shorn champion with a two-tooth ram which became reserve to the studs grand champion in the junior division.
This son of the 2016 GSSM supreme champion and Sydney Royal grand champion medium ram the same year was growing 19.7 micron wool. The Griffiths also exhibited champion and grand champion strong wool March-shorn ewe and champion medium March-shorn ewe.
Chris and Cindy Cronan and familys Alfoxton stud, Armidale, was also in the broad ribbon distribution culminating with the champion August-shorn Merino or Poll Merino champion ewe. This ewe was earlier warded grand champion medium wool ewe after winning her two-tooth class and August-shorn medium championship. She carried 18.9 micron wool with an SD of 3.7 micron, a CV of 19.6pc and CF of 98.pc.
In the fine-medium August-shorn division Alfoxton showed champion ewe with a two-tooth and reserve champion ram with a four-tooth with wool, described by the judge, Tom Davidson, as beautiful sweet wool.
The stud also was successful in the fine wool section showing reserve champion August-shorn ram.
The Cox familys Bocoble stud dominated ultrafine classes taking out grand champion ram with a March-shorn six-tooth and grand and reserve champion ewes plus reserve grand champion superfine ewe growing 16.5 micron wool, and reserve August-shorn fine wool ewe.
Merryville stud conducted by the Merriman family, Boorowa, started its broad ribbon run with the grand champion superfine ram earlier judged champion March-shorn and growing 18.4 micron wool with a 2.8 micron SD, 15.2pc CV and 99.8pc CF. In the fine section Merryville showed grand and reserve champion rams with March-shorns and champion March-shorn ewe standing second to Grassy Creek studs grand champion ewe that was August-shorn champion.
Conducted by Michael and Jane Corkhill, the Reids Flat-based Grassy Creek stud also exhibited the champion March-shorn medium wool ram.
The Armstrong familys Pemcaw stud, Dunedoo, showed reserve grand champion fine-medium wool ram with their champion August-shorn, and also reserve grand champion medium ram with another August-shorn.
