Parkes Maiden Ewe Competition win goes to the Westcott family

Ian and Julie Westcott, along with son Nick and his wife Skye, from Inglenook at Peak Hill, were the lucky entrants that won after only just joining the competition after many years of touring the properties as spectators.

The Westcott family operates a mixed farming operation in the cropping dominated landscape of the Peak Hill/Parkes district, and their win is the result of many years of hard work after Ian and Julie moved away from a family partnership and started out on their own.

In presenting the ewes to the spectators last Friday, Mr Westcott reflected upon the early days working with the 300 ewes he received when the family partnership was split. 

The fruits of the Westcott family’s labour were plain for all to see when the ewes were yarded for the competition.

Despite the ongoing drought, the Inglenook ewes were in top condition and looked a picture of health.

The Westcott’s have been short shearing their sheep for a number of years and are currently on a 7/7/9 month shearing program, they feel is allowing them to reap huge management and economic benefits which flow on through their business.

Having been on Overland blood and classed by Tony Magill for the past five years, the ewes carry a 19 micron fleece, with impressive fertility allowing them to achieve a 115 per cent lambing on this drop.

Returning to the competition to judge for a second consecutive year was Craig Wilson from Craig Wilson and Associates, Wagga Wagga, who was impressed with the ewes from the moment he stepped into the yards.

“These ewes are in great conditions and are well set up to maintain peak production going forward,” Mr Wilson said.

“It is a credit to the Westcott’s management of them through the past year.”

Fellow judge Henry Armstrong from Pemcaw Merino stud, Dunedoo, was also full of praise for the team.

“The wools are bright white and well crimped when you open them up. They are handling the dusty conditions well,” Mr Armstrong said.

“These sheep are well placed to provide the market with the product they are looking for.”

Taking out second place was the father and son team of Geoff and Phillip Cole of Pindari, Mandagery.

The Langdene blood ewes were classed by Gary Cox, with the adult ewes carrying an impressive 18 micron fleece.

With a 93pc lambing for the drop, the flock impressed the judges with their wool quality and nourishment attributes, with comments made about how extremely well suited to the environment in which they are run.

Mr Wilson said the team was carrying an extremely attractive, high value fleece.

“Individual objective measurement of these ewes may be the next step in driving production and financial return from these sheep,” Mr Wilson said.

“They are of an extremely high standard but this may be the tool to help them make the next step.”

The Hood family of Cherry Gardens, Parkes, were awarded this year’s encouragement award after another strong showing from their Overland blood ewes classed by Andy McLeod.

Andrew Hood spoke passionately about the family’s Merino enterprise and the direction they were planning on taking into the future. With three generations of the Hood family now actively involved in managing the sheep there is no doubt the flock is in good hands.

The full bus load of spectators throughout the day is reflective of the high returns being achieved by woolgrowers rather than the tough seasonal conditions they have battled for the past twelve months, said Garry O’Brien.

"Joining the crowd were cropping farmers contemplating making the switch back to Merinos as impressive returns continue to be achieved by Merino enterprises," he said.