Brian and Helen Anderson, "Lower Sylvia Vale", Binda, have won the ninth annual ANZ Agribusiness Crookwell Flock Ewe competition for the second time in five years.
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Mr Anderson presented 430 Hazeldean-blood maiden Merino ewes to judges Ben Patrick, Yarrawonga stud, Harden and Craig Wilson, Craig Wilson and Associates, Wagga Wagga, to be assessed against 17 other flocks around the Crookwell district.
Mr Patrick said they were a consistent, even type of sheep - a commercially viable mob of ewes.
“They are the the definition of a balanced sheep,” Mr Patrick said.
“And they are definitely a good wool cutting sheep.”
The August/September 2015-drop ewes, shorn in June, were classed by Rick Power, Landmark stud stock, Grenfell.
In 2016, 1710 ewes were joined with 1374 lambs marked.
The average fibre diametre for the “Lower “Sylvia Vale “ fleece line is 18.1-micron.
The Andersons were announced the long wool section winners before being named the overall 2017 champions.
In second place of the long wool section was Daniel Fitzell of “Flowerburn”, Peelwood, who presented a line of September 15-drop Langdene-blood ewes, third place went to Geoff and Debbie Selmes, “Wahronga”, Wheeo, with Royalla-blood ewes and making up the final four was Brad and Maria Cartwright, “Kempton”, Fullerton, with their Thalabah-blood line of ewes.
Winner of the spring shorn section was the McDonald family, “Aberdeen”, Laggan, with their mob of 230 Carrabungla-blood maiden ewes. This is the first time “Aberdeen” have taken the short wool title, having been named in third and forth place in previous years.
In 2016 ewes joined were 520 with a result of 392 lamb marked. Classers of the “Aberdeen” flock are Neville and Ben McIntosh of Carrabungla stud, Laggan.
The average fibre diametre fleece line of the Aberdeen flock is 17.8-micron.
Mr Wilson said the first thing he noticed about the flock was how healthy the Aberdeen sheep were.
“They were well grown, long bodied. They are well set up for joining in the future,” Mr Wilson said.
In second place was Anthony and Michelle Selmes, “Glenayr,” Biala, with their Royalla, Boudjah blood ewes.
Third place went to Graeme Hewitt, “Wongalea”, on Rogara, Carrabungla and Kullingrah bloodlines and forth place was awarded to last year’s winners, John and Michael Lowe, “Innisvale”, Crookwell with their Royalla-blood ewes.
The people’s choice award went to “Glenayr”; Alex Wheelwright of Phils River, Laggan, took out the future development award while Shannon Arnall of “Carinya”, Laggan, took out the AWN award acknowledging their continued support and commercial improvement of an exhibitor who has not received a finalist placing after three years or more in the competition.
The next flock ewe competition in the region will be Gunning, held this Friday, February 10, followed by Boorowa, Friday February 17 and Taralga will round off the southern regional four on Tuesday February 28.
