An August shorn four-tooth Grathlyn ram, recently sashed with the Tom Culley award at the Sydney Royal in March, came through the ranks to be announced the grand champion superfine ram of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (ASWS).
By Wanganella 816, the ram’s fleece measured 17-micron fibre diameter, 2.5 standard deviation (SD), 14.7 coefficient of variation (CV) and 99.9 per cent comfort factor (CF).
Superfine wool judge John Freeman, The Fringe Merino stud, Briagolong, Victoria, said the grand champion ram was the type of sheep he would look for.
“He was a real stud sire with his thickness and quality of wool,” Mr Freeman said.
“He is proud, stands square and has a great undercover.”
The reserve grand champion superfine ram was exhibited by the Crawford family, Rock-Bank stud, Victoria Valley, Vic, with their August-shorn champion Poll Merino ram ‘Stevie’.
Stevie is sired by Yarrawonga 961, and was named after Yarrawonga stud principal, Steve Phillips.
Mr Freeman said he was a tremendously sweet wooled sheep.
The reserve champion superfine poll ram was also shown by Grathlyn with a four-tooth, March-shorn entry.
The grand champion superfine wool ewe was a six-tooth, August-shorn ewe exhibited by Paul Walton, Wurrook stud, Rokewood, Vic.
He is proud, stands square and has a great undercover.
- John Freeman, judge
From the Wurrook Ringmaster family, her fleece measurements were 17.6 micron fibre diameter, 2.6 SD, and 99.8pc CF.
Mr Freeman said the confirmation and wool quality of the ewe was outstanding.
“On top of this she had a huge amount of femininity,” he said.
The reserve grand champion ewe also went to Wurrook with their champion two-tooth, August-shorn poll ewe by a Yarrawonga ram, carrying a 16.7 micron fleece.
Reserve poll champion ewe was a March-shorn, two-tooth ewe exhibited by Melrose stud, Nurrabiel, Vic.
Junior champion ram went to Trefusis stud, Tasmania, and reserve to Melrose stud, and both champion and reserve junior ewe titles were won by the Wurrook, who also had the highest strike rate to win the most successful superfine exhibitor.