CONSTITUTION and quality breeding within the eight flocks hard hit by drought and even wild dogs were at the forefront of displays during the Bathurst Merino Association's 24th Maiden Ewe competition held in the northern region last Friday.
Keen to acknowledge the people responsible for managing the winning flock was first-time entrant Jerome Carberry, Dulcisvale, Limekilns, who said his brother-in-law Tony Toole had bought the first ewes of Merryville blood soon after he purchased the 440 hectare predominantly limestone property in 1987.
"Tony ran the farm for many years and Schute Bell's Brett Douglas has classed for the past 10 years while recently appointed manager, Mark Tipper, has done a great job in keeping the property and stock in top order," Mr Carberry said.
The 2017-drop maidens of 212 head were the result of an 85 per cent lambing, the flock average for the past three years.
Lambing in May and shearing in September, adult ewes grow 18 micron fleeces although the 2018 main fleece line was 18.8 and cut 6.8 kilograms.
Mr Carberry said the wools were at a satisfactory stage when five years ago, to increase the frame, he began buying Darriwell Poll rams.
Close to 900 ewes are joined with the majority to poll rams while 170 classed-out ewes are run with White Suffolk rams for prime lamb production.
"We also run Merino wethers for the prime lamb job," Mr Carberry said. "We keep them another two months from shearing to get a bulkier fleece before selling in March."
Judges Katrina Blomfield, Karori Merinos, Walcha, and Chris Stapleton, Capree stud, Newbridge, were impressed with all flocks saying the point score was very close among the top three flocks.
"There were only about three or four points between the placegetters accentuating the depth of breeding and management," Mrs Blomfield said.
"However, I felt the Dulcisvale ewes had some structurally very good sheep, which impressed me with their frame and structure.
"They are a very robust type, obviously well looked after. They look like very good doing sheep."
Mr Stapleton said the winners were a very impressive lot of ewes.
"Beautifully grown, big roomy ewes with nice long-stapled wool. They had the staple length and big long-bodies."
Second place went to Gordon Nash, Ulabri, Paling Yards who displayed 550 maidens of Demondrille - Merryville type from a 94pc lambing in September-October 2017 and December shearing of 17.3 micron average.
Third place went to the Rayner family's Pomanara commercial flock at Sallys Flat.
A flock decimated by wild dogs was presented the Encouragement Award.
That went to Michael Healy and family, Box Hill, Turondale, whose Yarrawonga and Grathlyn blood flock had been continually attacked by wild dogs leaving just 30pc of lambs in the 2017 drop.
