The drive to reduce the mean fibre diametre of Merino fleece was questioned by judges during the Bookham Merino ewe competition.
Speaking at the end of the day after six flocks in the district were assessed, Alan 'Smokey' Dawson, Winyar stud, Canowindra told the keen woolgrowers who followed the event the focus on reducing mean microns was corrupting their breeding programs.
"I don't quite know where our climate is going and I don't think anyone else does," he said.
"I have seen a lot of sheep in the past two weeks during the Lake Cargelligo ewe comp and I know it is different country but I think we might be getting just a little bit too fine for what our climate will allow us to grow in years to come."
Mr Dawson pointed out sheep breeders and woolgrowers have responded to the current market demands but he though if we are going to have a run of these dry seasons then maybe the wool needs to have a bit more 'omph' in our sheep to tolerate them.
He recalled being told by veteran sheep classer John Coy many years ago … "you can't shear them if they are down behind a log".
"I have started to notice maybe we are getting a tad fine and we are losing a bit of constitution in our sheep," he said.
"That is just a general rule of thumb I have seen during the past two ewe comps."
With Malcolm Cox, Bocoble stud, Dunedoo, Mr Dawson awarded overall winner to Dacre Weston, Shalom, Bookham while team winner was Tony Armour, Glenrock, Bookham and Bill Mackay, Brookfield, Bowning won the shortwool award.
- Full results next week.
