Walcha maiden ewes impress

From reports, the inaugural Elders Walcha Merino Flock Ewe Competition which attracted nine flocks from throughout the Walcha district, has already got neighbouring New England districts contemplating their own ventures in the near future.

Walcha identities Angus Laurie of Elders and Hamish McLaren of Nerstane stud, joined forces with several others to create the event last Friday with the support of some well-known businesses as sponsors.

Inaugural judges coming from the Southern Tablelands and South-West slopes areas Wally Merriman, Merryville stud, Boorowa, and Rick Power, Nutrien Stud Stock, Grenfell, were closely followed by more than 50 Merino enthusiasts throughout the day, and were not scared to give constructive critique at every one of the none flocks judged.

Described by Mr Power as a first-class manager, Mick Lisle of Brenkley, east of town, was the breeder of the winning flock of predominantly Nerstane blood with Yalgoo and a recent introduction of a GullenGamble sire.

Classed by Mr Lisle for the past five years, Mr Power said the ewes were a very powerful unit.

"They are beautifully presented young ewes, you have obviously given them a lot of love since the day they were born, or even conceived, " Mr Power said.

Originally of Merryville blood, Mr Lisle has been using the winning bloodlines for the past 15 years and said he was working towards increasing fleece weight while maintaining micron (16.8) on the frame he has.

"By doing this we have gone a bit more broader in the crimp to chase more woolcut," Mr Lisle said.

In 2019 the flock's lambing average was just 80 per cent, which Mr Lisle said was a good result considering the drought.

That year 900 lambs were dropped and after a 22pc culling, the 700 remaining maidens were displayed on the day. Average woolcut is 4.5 kilograms.

Brenkley's altitude is 1050 metres with average rainfall of 800 millimetres although last year it totalled 984mm.

The Kentucky district's Birrahlee flock of Will Taylor and family, also of Nerstane and Yalgoo blood for more than 15 years was placed second.

Classed by Nerstane's Jock McLaren, on the trap rock and granite country 1030m above sea level receiving 934mm of rain last year, the 2019 maiden ewes suffered a 60pc lambing resulting in just 640 ewes of which 30pc were classed out.

Mr Taylor said he selects visually and buys heavy indexing and heavy wool cutting rams to do the "heavy lifting" within the flock.

Adult ewe wool average is 17.5 micron while hoggets are 16.5.

"I'm not worried about the Italians, I just want to fill bales with white and bright wool," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Rick Power said the flock gained a plus for wool type and presentation.

These are classed well and good, square sheep with lots of volume," Mr Power said.

"They have good fine wool that will cut you a lot of wool.

"I can see you have a type and you are passionate about your Merinos. You can see that by the shape of your sheep."

The larger flock of family owned for more than 90 years, TA Field Estates, Congi Station, gained third place.

Manager, Anthony Uren, said the 10,730 hectare property was currently running 38,000 sheep comprising of ewes plus some 10,000 wethers, and 2000 Angus/Hereford-cross cattle.

Today's flock originated some 20 years ago with the purchase of 15,000 ewes then joined to Nerstane blood.

"These started on an average 21 micron and we are now down to 16.2 and an average wool cut of 4.2kg of best topmakers type wool."