Bowen stud has dominated the Suffolk competition at the NSW sheep show in Dubbo, taking home ribbons for the supreme exhibit as well as champion and reserve champion ewe and ram.
Greg Good, Bowen stud, Millthrope said he hadn't shown at Dubbo for a while but wanted to get there this year because the breed had an interstate judge - Deva Weitman of Blue Rock stud, Romsey, Victoria.
The supreme exhibit was the champion ram from the milk teeth class.
Ms Weitman said the champion had a presence about him.
"He has the IT factor," Ms Weitman said.
She said she was looking for good bone, width, depth of line and an evenness from the front to the back.
Mr Good said the winning ram was sired by one of his own, a ram that was named champion at both Bendigo and Sydney.
"I'm very happy with the way he's progressing and he'll be kept within the stud," Mr Good said.
The champion ewe was from the pair of ewes, milk teeth only class.
Ms Weitman said as soon as the ewe walked out she could see she was a winner.
"You would like at least 25 of her in your herd, she's thick all the way through, she paraded well and she has really good bone," she said.
Mr Good said the ewe was by a New Zealand ram and had been shown previously at Sydney.
"She won her class but this was her first broad ribbon win," Mr Good said.
While, the reserve champion ewe at Dubbo was the champion ewe at Sydney.
The most successful Suffolk exhibitor was Hurlstone Agricultural High School who won three of the four novice classes they entered.
They also won the group of one ram and two ewes milk teeth class.
It was the first time the school had shown at Dubbo and Hurlstone teacher, Karen Johnston said they would definitely be returning next year.
In the objective measurement class, which considers weight, eye muscle depth and fat depth, Hurlstone won the ewes and Kurrali Suffolks, Neilrex, the rams.
- Full report from the NSW State Sheep Show in the June 6 issue of The Land.
