More than 13,000 ewes were inspected across four Southern Tablelands regions in March, with the top two flocks from each district going on to contest the champion title in the 10th ANZ Agribusiness and NSW SMBA Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship. The top flocks from the Boorowa, Crookwell, Taralga and Gunning competitions were pitted against each other, under the scrutiny of judges Paul Pittman, Glenburnie, Walcha; Ross McGauchie, Terrick West, Prairie, VIC, and associate judge Jack Finch, Schute Bell Badgery Lumby, Goulburn. Judges had a hard time looking past the 950-head flock of Royalla and Koonwarra-blood ewes displayed by Murray and Julie Dymock, Dymock Agriculture, Boorowa, awarding them overall champions. Focusing on producing commercial sheep that remain functional and low maintenance with a large frame and high fertility, their flock recorded 123% lambs-marked last year, with a fleece averaging 18.7-micron and 8kg cut in the maidens. When making a comment on the day, judge Ross said there was little that needed improving. “If we see better flocks than this today, we’ll be doing well,” he said. “What you said you are trying to achieve, it seems pretty obvious that you’re achieving that.” Fellow judge Paul said they looked like easy care sheep. “They’re a great commercial flock – there’s plenty of doability in them, which I like.” The Dymock’s received the inaugural Ally Jaffrey Memorial Award, which commemorates much loved organiser and Nutrien Ag Solution wool area manager, Ally Jaffrey, who passed away in February 2024 following a long battle with myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer. The award acknowledges her dedication to the event, the wool industry and the community. They also received the People’s Choice Award, as voted by the dozens of spectators in attendance. In second place was a superfine flock owned by Chris, George and James Boardman, “Charlefield”, Myrtleville, who placed first in the ANZ Agribusiness Taralga Flock Ewe Competition three weeks prior. They had 350 Carrabungla-blood ewes on display and hope to increase the number of breeding ewes in the coming years. The Boardman’s started classing three years ago, following feedback from previous flock ewe competitions and will now focus on increasing their numbers to 500 to 600 ewes. They’ve recorded an average fibre diameter of 17.7-micron and recently introduced Thalabah genetics into their program, seeking a more traditional style of fleece. “It’s not a large number of ewes here, but you’ve just explained what road you’ve been down and, in the long-game, it will be the best thing you’ve done,” Paul said. “The ewes have beautiful staple lengths. They’re very productive for their micron.” The NSW Stud Merino Breeders’ Association were proud sponsors of the Junior Judging section of the competition, which attracted 35 students from three schools across the region. Dymock’s walk away with the inaugural Ally Jaffrey award ANZ Agribusiness and NSW SMBA Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship Friday 14 March 2025 Photo captions. 1– Murray Dymock, Dymock Agriculture, Boorowa, received the inaugural Ally Jaffrey Memorial Trophy as overall competition winner with his Royalla and Koonwarra-blood ewes. 2– Judges Ross McGauchie, Terrick West, Prairie, VIC; Paul Pittman, Glenburnie, Walcha, and Jack Finch, Goulburn. 3– The junior judging competition attracted a good number of local students. Photos: Kristen Frost. 1– 3– 2– – 129 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1