TOP SIRE 2025–2026 NSW SHOW AND SALE RESULTS Great Southern Supreme Merino Show Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Bathurst Showground A Merino ram from Murray Power, Airlie, Walcha, claimed the top honours in what was an impressive display of Merino and Poll Merino sheep at the 2025 Great Southern Supreme Merino Show. The three-day event was held in Bathurst for the second year, with 268 sheep on show from studs across NSW and VIC. The judges at this year’s event included Phil Hartwich, Mt Challicum, Ballyrogen, VIC, in the ultrafine and superfine ring; James Ballinger, Waverley Downs, Delungra, in the fine ring; Craig Trickey, Coryule, Willowvale, VIC, in the fine/medium ring; Will Roberts, Victoria Downs, Morven, QLD, in the medium/strong ring, and Angus Campbell, Yarrawonga, Harden, as the associate judge. The superfine ram, Airlie 20065, was described as “particularly hard to fault” by judges when awarding the champion ribbon. Associate judge Angus Campbell said it was a tough choice. “The Airlie ram didn’t have anything wrong. He had lovely wool right down, a beautiful muzzle and correctness,” he said. “The other three sheep are very close. It’s great to have them all from different regions and climates.” The 17.4-micron ram rose through the March-shorn superfine classes, taking home the Grand Champion Merino Ram ribbon before earning a spot in the Supreme Exhibit lineup. The Grand Champion Merino Ewe was awarded to Towonga 21037, exhibited by Garry and Donna Kopp, Towonga, Peak Hill, which came up through the March-shorn fine/medium classes. In the Poll Merino section, the ultrafine ram Hillcreston 21660 from the Picker family, Hillcreston Poll, Bigga, claimed the Grand Champion ribbon. The 13.4-micron ram came through the Marchshorn ultrafine classes. The Grand Champion Poll Merino Ewe was awarded to the 16.7-micron Merrignee 21223, exhibited by C.T. Merriman and Son, Merrignee, Boorowa, which also rose through the Marchshorn classes. In the Junior Champions, it was an ultrafine exhibit from Peter and Jayne Lette, Conrayn, Berridale, which took home the broad ribbon. The 16.3-micron ram, Conrayn 22106, rose through the two-tooth March-shorn classes to win the Junior Champion March Shorn Ram ribbon before going on to be named Overall Junior Merino Exhibit and then Supreme Junior Exhibit. The ram, from the stud’s first embryo transfer program two years ago, was praised for its wool quality, structure and size by the judges. Keith McGrath, Billa Burra Burra Poll, Yass, secured the Overall Junior Poll Merino Exhibit title with their 18.2-micron ewe, Billa Burra Burra 21190. It came up through the March shorn fine/ medium two-tooth classes before being sashed Junior Champion March Shorn Poll Ewe. The ewe weighed 105kg and cut 10.5kg of wool. The McGrath’s also claimed the Junior Champion August Shorn Poll Ram ribbon with Billa Burra Burra 20246. The Lette’s success continued into the group section, where they claimed the prestigious Roger Birtles Trophy for champion group of five as well as champion ribbons for the August-shorn group of three rams and two ewes and March-shorn ram and ewe pair. The Junior Handler and Young Merino Judges competitions, overseen by Stephen Chalmers, were well supported. Samantha Noakes, Karowara Plains, Bedgerabong, won first place in the Young Merino Judges competition and earned a place in the RAS/AgShows NSW Merino Sheep Young Judges Competition State Final at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Sarah Kett, originally from Pinjarra, WA, claimed a win in the Junior Handler competition. Sarah moved to NSW to work at the Merryville stud, attending the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show as her first show. – 78 –
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