THE top five flocks at the ANZ Agribusiness Taralga Region Flock Ewe Competition were announced on Tuesday, following a full day of touring properties across the region.
With 10 flocks entered from both new and return participants, the competition was over seen by return judge Ben Patrick, the stud master at Yarrawonga Merino stud, Harden, who was joined by Hollow Mount Merino’s stud advisor David Zouch, Bigga.
Mr Patrick and Mr Zouch went through the flocks, assessing the ewes’ wool quality and character, wool quantity for type, structure, conformation and size, and their overall presentation.
Making the top five was John Corby from Hill Top, Myrtleville, Craigmoor Partnership at Tanjenong, Taralga, Geoff Croker from Meadow Drive, Golspie, Chris and Stephanie Croker from Ayrston, Golspie and Steve Mills of Seamens, Golspie.
All entries were commended for their presentation, but when it came down to the wire it was the evenness, trueness to type and quality of wools that got the five flocks up according to the judges.
The top five finalists will now put their sheep on display at the Taralga Show on March 9th and 10th, where the announcement of the places will be made.
From there, the first and second placed flocks will go on to compete in the 4th annual Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship on March 15.
Hosted by the Taralga Show Society, the championship will be a showdown of the winning flocks from the Crookwell, Gunning, Boorowa and Taralga Flock Ewe Competitions held from January to February.
A presentation dinner will be held at the Taralga Sports Club following the judging on March 15.
