An increased showing of Merino sheep reflecting rising interest in wool growing saw strong competition among breeders during the 2019 Royal Canberra Show.
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SUPERFINE
Judge Max Rayner, Grathlyn, Hargraves, awarded the August-shorn ram to the two-tooth paraded by Pete Lette, Conrayn, Berridale.
"He is just a young ram with potential and he has a great underline, stands well and terrific crimp," he said.
Pete Lette also exhibited the August-shorn superfine ewe, a two tooth.
In the March-shorn section success went to the Lette family who showed both the champion and reserve champion ram.
In the ewe classes, the champion ewe was exhibited by the Lette family, while Jason Hoadley, New Plains, Blayney, showed the reserve champion.
Supreme superfine exhibit was the August-shorn ram shown by Conrayn, Berridale.
FINEWOOL
This section was adjudicated by George Henderson, Grogansworth, Bowning, who was assisted by Will Stewart, Central Otago, NZ.
In the August-shorn classes, Winston McDonald, Royalla, Wallendbeen had a clean sweep exhibiting the champion and reserve champion ram and ewe.
John and Greg Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby, showed the champion March-shorn ram, which had come through the four-tooth class, while Wal and George Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa showed the reserve champion ram.
"He is well balanced, with long stapled fleece and length and depth of body," Mr Henderson.
Greenland were successful in the ewe section, being awarded the championship for their two-tooth over the reserve shown by the Lette family, Conrayn, Berridale.
"She is big for a two-tooth and has a very stylish fleece," Mr Henderson said.
Supreme fine wool exhibit was awarded to the March-shorn ewe from Greenland.
MEDIUM/STRONG
Monaro-based Drew Chapman, Hinesville stud, Delegate, assessed the sheep in this section.
Mr Chapman awarded the March-shorn ram championship to Merryville, Boorowa.
"He is well-balanced with good coverage, a good underline and stands well," he said.
The champion March-shorn ewe was exhibited by Greg Alcock.
"She has a terrific underline, great staple length on a thick productive skin," Mr Chapman said.
Supreme medium/strong wool exhibit was awarded to the March-shorn ram exhibited by Wal and George Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa.
POLL MERINO
Champion finewool ram was exhibited by Merryville, Boorowa while Winston McDonald, Royalla, Wallendbeen showed the reserve.
Mr McDonald also exhibited the champion and reserve champion ewe.
The fine wool August-shorn champion was the ram shown by Winston McDonald.
The champion medium/strong wool ram was shown by the Alcock family while James Derrick, Karoola Downs Poll Merinos, Gundagai showed the champion medium/strong wool Poll Merino ewe.
The grand champion Poll Merino ram was awarded to the Alcock family while the grand champion Poll Merino ewe was exhibited by James Derrick.
JUNIOR CHAMPIONS
Greg and John Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby exhibited both the junior champion ram and ewe.
GROUPS
The Koonwarra Trophy for March-shorn group was awarded to the Merryville stud, Boorowa.
The Grogansworth Trophy for August-shorn group was awarded to the Conrayn stud, Berridale.
The March-shorn pair were exhibited by the Greenland stud, Bungarby.
The August-shorn pair were shown by Conrayn, Berridale.
