Collie wool cutters claim the inaugural win A “magnificent line of bale fillers and wool cutters” has claimed the top honours at the inaugural Castlereagh Maiden Ewe Competition, held on Tuesday 4 March. Peter, Anne and Doug Freeth, Glenburn Holdings, “Edenmore”, Collie, secured first place with their Langdene-blood flock. They run 2000 Merino ewes and noted an average wool cut of 7.3kg of 18.5 to 19-micron wool, running on Langdene bloodlines for the past 15 years. Peter said their focus was on breeding large framed, plainerbodied ewes that produced high-value fleeces with an increasing emphasis on fertility. They use teaser rams with their maidens when joining in January/February to help condense lambing to fit in with their cropping operations. Richard Chalker, Lach River, Darbys Falls, and Jono Merriman, Koonwarra and Merrignee, Boorowa, had the tough task of judging the flocks, along with associate judge Charlie Howard, assistant manager at Egelabra, Warren. Richard said the Freeth’s ewes gave a magnificent first impression. “We get paid in kilograms, so we want bale fillers and wool cutters and that’s what these ewes will do,” he said. “They’re typed up very well.” Charlie said the flock was heading in the right direction, “They cut plenty of wool and they’re consistent structurally and in their wool type.” The Bennetts family, “Ukebung”, Merrygoen, claimed second place in the competition with a run of primarily Coddington Uardry Pollblood ewes, which they’ve been on for about seven years alongside Pemcaw and Weealla influences. The flock cuts an average of 5kg of 17-micron wool each April shearing. Their breeding objective is “to have a ewe that is working towards improving profitability now and into the future”. The judges commended the “Ukebung” flock, describing it as a “good commercial flock”. Richard said, “They’re well covered and in good order for joining,” while Jono commented, “I’m surprised at how well put together the mob is with the three different bloodlines.” Judges placed the Merino ewes from Pinehurst Pastoral Company, Merrygoen, in third place. Run by Reg and Robyn Sweeney, along with Angus and Rowena Munro, at “Pinehurst”, they aim to breed a balanced, fertile, dual-purpose sheep that is early maturing and cuts a bulky, long-stapled and stylish medium wool. Running on Haddon Rig genetics for 45 years and adding sires from Poll Boonoke over the past ten, their flock cuts an average of 7.5kg of 19-micron wool each October shearing. “Consistent” and “well-selected” were how judges described their flock. “You can see it’s a well run operation and the sheep are well classed,” Jono said. “You’ve got your plan and you’re heading in that direction.” The Encouragement Award was given to David, Danielle and Rhys Bonnington, “Bonnayr”, Curban, with judges impressed by the way Rhys spoke about their operation on the day. Running on Mumblebone-blood for 28 years, they select for early growth, fat and muscle. “We want to give them a fuel tank for a tougher time,” David said. Shearing twice a year, in January and June/ July, they’re producing an average 6.5kg cut of 19-micron wool. “We’ve found our staple strength is better for it.” Judges commented on the evenness and structural correctness of the “Bonnayr” flock. “It’s a very even flock and very square,” Richard said. A good crowd of Merino enthusiasts joined the 450km circuit to view the eight flocks on display across the Collie, Gulargambone, Gilgandra and Merrygoen regions. An awards presentation was held at “Pinehurst”, Merrygoen, with plenty of positive feedback on the competition’s first ever event. Castlereagh Maiden Ewe Competition | Tuesday 4 March 2025 Photo caption. Associate judge Charlie Howard, Warren, with winners Doug and Peter Freeth, Curban, and judges Richard Chalker, Lach River, Darby Falls, and Jono Merriman, Koonwarra and Merrignee, Boorowa, in the Freeth’s winning flock of Langdene-blood ewes. – 127 –
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