MARCH shorns from Ross Wells’ Willandra stud, Jerilderie, took out the section’s grand champion ram and ewe at the 2018 Rabobank National Merino Show and Sale at Dubbo last week.
The ram, a 21 micron ET bred Willandra Impact, by Wallaloo 4.22 and from a Willandra Desmond sired daughter, was reserve champion all-purpose ram at Bendigo Australian Sheep and Wool show recently, reserve strong wool champion at Hay sheep show, then stood second to the Riverina Ram of the Year from Poll Boonoke.
Willandra’s grand ewe was a 17.9 micron two-tooth by D11.98 (by PB13.0028) also a champion strong wool. The stud also exhibited champion March shorn medium wool ewe and reserve, both two-tooths, plus fine-medium wool March shorn ram and ewe champions.
The Poll Merino breed had big numbers of entries with approximately 146 head nearly equalling Merino numbers.
In the August shorns South Australia’s Orrie Cowie stud took out the champion strong wool ram award which followed with the August shorn grand championship and was pipped by a notch for NSW supreme ram.
This 21 micron ram was shown by the Dalla family, Warooka, who also gained reserve champion medium wool ram award.
Among the Corkhill family’s successes in both Merino and Poll Merino judging, Grassy Creek stud, Reids Flat, exhibited the grand champion August shorn ewe after being awarded champion fine wool.
Karowara Plains stud operated by the Watts family, Bedgerebong, exhibited champion superfine ram and reserve champion fine wool ram while Cobar district’s Tambua stud picked up two reserve champion awards with superfine ewe and fine wool ewe.
The Swords family’s Laraben stud, Mt Frome, exhibited champion August shorn superfine ewe and champion fine wool ram while Alfoxton stud, Armidale, won the fine-medium wool ram championship.
Other August shorn awards were share between Nerstane, stud, Woolbrook, champion fine ewe and champion medium ram; Jolly Jumbuck stud, Mitchell, Queensland, with reserve champion strong ram and Towalba stud, Peak Hill, champion strong ewe.
Waverley Downs, Delungra, showed March shorn superfine ram Merryville stud, Boorowa, March fine wool ram and Poll Boonoke, Deliliquin, March medium ram.
