A good line of sheep, well managed and well classed were themes coming from judges at the inaugural Cumnock and district commercial flock ewe competition held on Tuesday attracting eight flocks from within the Cumnock, Yeoval and Baldry districts and 90 attendees.
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Judges James Armstrong, Cassilis Park stud, Cassilis, and Boyd Aveyard, Plevna stud, Trundle, said they were impressed with the standard of the displays of maiden ewes they saw.
One thing that did stand out for Mr Aveyard was the flocks that were professionally classed stood out.
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He emphasised the benefits of having someone professional to go through the sheep in a flock would make all the difference.
"For the small cost and half a days work, you can really straighten your sheep up," Mr Aveyard said.
The flock of Don and Kerrie Macdonald, Mullungeen, between Wellington and Molong, was awarded first place.
Mr Macdonald said they had been using GullenGamble an Kerin Poll blood for 20 years and was not getting too much of a divergence in type.
Half of their 2019 August/September drop ewes went to their Brewarrina property while the other half stayed at Mullungeen where the Macdonalds also fatten and finish lambs.
The flock was classed by Paul Kelly.
Wool test results averaged out at 20 micron with 76.8 per cent yield of a 98 millimetres staple length of 48 Newtons.
Mr Armstrong said the maiden's presentation and management were excellent.
Second place went to the Morley family's Boomey Park, Larras Lee, managed by Angus Shannon and with a line on June/July 2019 drop maidens which came from an 113.1pc lambing in feedlot confinement.
The flock has been on Darriwell blood for 10 years and classed by Michael Elmes.
"Ewes were shorn in the second week of December with 10 months wool and cut 6.6 kilograms of wool," Mr Shannon said.
Mr Armstrong said he could see the sheep suited the country.
"They are productive and managed well," he said.
"These can potentially cut a bit more wool and still have good lambing percentages."
Mr Aveyard labelled the ewes a good type with a bit of stretch about them and growing productive wool.
The majority of the crowd must have agreed as the Boomey Park flock won the "People's Choice" award.
Third placing went to the Larras Lake North, Larras Lee, flock of Gordon Welsh with management by Andrew Heath.
These maiden of April/May lambing at 96.1pc and shorn March and September, were of Kerin Poll blood and also classed by Paul Kelly who culled 40pc of the drop.
Cumnock Show Society president, David Weston, said the field day was a first for the district and its success forged it to be a permanent fixture on the calendar.
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