A Poll Merino ram, still showing his lambs teeth and weighing 127 kilograms, was judged 'Riverina Wool Australia' champion hogget ram at the 2017 Hay Sheep Show, sponsored by Mark Bazeley, Riverina Wool, Moama.
Bred at the White River stud at Minnipa, South Australia by John and Wes Daniell, the young sire prospect was sired by Nyowee L134, purchased in 2011 for $15,000 who was in turn sired by Nyowee 430. His dam was sired by a ram purchased from the Ridgway stud for $32,000.
Speaking on behalf of judges, Jim Vandeluer, Rices Creek stud, Saddleworth, SA, Ian Michael, Nyowee stud, Balaklava, SA and Steve Phillips, Yarrawonga stud, Harden, Mr Michael said the White River ram was exemplary for its length and depth of body, carrying a bright and soft strong wool.
“He is an outstanding young sire, and his structure is fantastic,” Mr Michael said. “His skin is pure with no pigmentation around the eyes or through his fleece.”
John Daniell said he was also impressed by the quality of the skin on his ram. “It is a fantastic productive skin which will produce a lot of wool,” he said. “The wool which is visually 58/60s and expected to measure 20-20.5-micron is well nourished, soft and even all over.”
Mr Daniell said the ram has an outstanding underline, and exceptional growth rate for a young Merino ram.
The ‘Tapper Agri Services/Landmark’ champion ewe hogget Merino ewe was awarded to Ross and Claire McGauchie, Terrick West, Prairie, Victoria.
Judge Jim Vandeluer said the winning ewe was a standout among a line of tremendous young ewes. “She stands well, with a very rich and stylish wool and showing maturity for a young sheep,” he said.
Ross and Claire McGauchie also paraded the ‘Riverina Wool Australia’ Victorian champion hogget Merino ram, while the Wanganella Merino stud, bred by Australian Food and Agriculture, Conargo exhibited the ‘Riverina Wool Australia’ NSW champion hogget ram.
The supreme champion ram or ewe of the 2017 Hay Sheep Show and awarded the Bill Lamb Perpetual Trophy was the champion strong wool ram and grand champ ram exhibited by Warren and Jack McRae, Oakbank Merinos, St Arnaud, Vic. The grand champion ewe was shown by Orrie Cowie Poll Merinos, Warooka, SA who had been judged champion strong wool ewe.
In the flock section under judge Sydney Lawrie, Collandra North Poll Merinos, Tumby Bay, SA and associate judge Heather McDougall, Hay, the champion ewe was awarded to an entry exhibited by David Zouch, manager “Hollowmount”, Bigga.
- Full report in The Land – June 29