TOP SIRE 2025–2026 NSW FLOCK EWE COMPETITIONS Very productive sheep come out on top for Byrne Farm Company Five Merino flocks were on show at the Cootamundra Show Society Maiden Merino Ewe Competition. In its second year, firsttime entrant Scott Byrnes, Byrne Farm Company, Wallendbeen, took home the top prize with a run of 1100 Greenland-blood ewes. Judges Brad Wilson, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Dubbo, and Glen Rubie, Lachlan Merinos, Forbes, described the Byrnes’ flock as “very productive sheep”. Brad said, “You can see he’s obviously classed for wool cut, because the production on them is very good. You’d go a long way to find sheep that cut the amount these do.” When opening the wool, Glen said the fleece was soft, dense and a beautiful white wool. “For micron and wool cut, you’re kicking goals.” The Byrne’s flock recorded a fibre diameter of 18.8-micron with an average fleece weight of 6.7kg with 11 months of wool growth. In 2024, they joined 2060 ewes to Merino sires with 2250 lambs weaned. Scott said, after concentrating on wool production, they were now focusing on improving the fertility of their flock. James Burge, Burge Agriculture, “Windella”, Cootamundra, claimed second place with a run of Willandra-blood ewes. They have been using Willandra genetics for 24 years with the aim to breed largeframe Riverina-type ewes. They joined 1847 ewes to Merino rams last year with 1884 lambs weaned. The flock averages 19.1-micron and 6.1kg wool cut in an eight-monthly shearing program. “One of our breeding objectives is to lower their micron by one,” James said. “They cut plenty of wool for us, but you always want more, it doesn’t matter how much you get.” When handing down judging comments, Glen said he wouldn’t change much in the sheep. “I take my hat off to you – these are very good sheep. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” In third place was the Hazeldean-blood ewes of Tony and Zoe Hill, DH Hill and Company, Cootamundra. Utilising Hazeldean genetics since 1988, they aim to breed a plain-bodied sheep that are heavy cutters. The Hill’s joined 7762 ewes in 2024 and weaned 7955 lambs in 2024, while averaging 18-micron and 7.75kg of wool per head. They were described as a “good, even mob of commercial ewes” by judges. “They’re pushing out that staple – the cut for micron is very good,” Brad said. “They’re certainly wool cutters.” Cootamundra Show Society Maiden Merino Ewe Competition Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March 2025 Photo caption. Scott Byrne, Byrne Farm Company, Wallendbeen, with a portion of his winning Greenland-blood maiden ewes. Photo: The Land. – 130 –
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