TOP SIRE 2025–2026 NSW SHOW AND SALE RESULTS RAS PAIR OF THE YEAR Judges described the display of March shorn pairs as “tremendous” when they lined up for the RAS Pair of the Year Competition, vying for the Riverina Stud Merino Field Days Association Perpetual Trophy. “It’s been difficult for us, as judges, to place them,” Warren Russell said. It was the matching wool quality, size and conformation of the pair from the Lette family’s Conrayn, Berridale, which put them at the top to claim the champion title. The pair included Conrayn 22128, measuring 15.3-micron, and Conrayn 22110, measuring 17.2-micron. Coming in second was a pair from Thalabah, Laggan. “It was very close, but we thought the Conrayn’s matched a bit better,” Warren said. Merryville, Boorowa, placed third, while Airlie, Walcha, picked up fourth place. Warren commented, “The Merryville’s are impressive in their size and wool cutting ability.” BRUCE MERRIMAN MEMORIAL PERPETUAL CUP An impressive team from the Rayner’s, Grathlyn, Hargraves, claimed the Bruce Merriman Memorial Perpetual Cup for Best Exhibit of Five August Shorn Merino or Poll Merinos. When sashing the champions, judge Joe Carlon commended the consistency of the three rams and two ewes exhibited by Grathlyn. “They are peas in a pod,” he said. “They’ve got beautiful wool through the whole team and they’ve got the depth there too.” The winning team was made up of Grathlyn 20518, 20515, 20514, 20521 and 20524. Judges placed Alfoxton, Armidale, in second and Merryville, Boorowa, in third. “The Alfoxton’s are big upstanding animals,” Joe said. “Merryville in third are big upstanding and heavy cutting, but we thought the consistency was lacking a bit compared to the other two teams.” OTWAY FALKINER PERPETUAL CUP A solid team from Alfoxton, Armidale, have claimed the Otway Falkiner Perpetual Cup for Best Exhibit of Five Poll Merino Sheep for the second year running. The same team also placed second in the running for the Bruce Merriman Memorial Perpetual Trophy – a repeat performance on last year’s show. Henry Armstrong made comment on behalf of the judges, noting the consistency of the team. “They’re very even, nice wool types and all well defined in their wool,” he said. The team was made up of Alfoxton 20113, 20125, 20115, 20131 and 20129. STONEHAVEN CUP The Stonehaven Cup Perpetual Trophy for Best Exhibit of Five March Shorn Merino or Poll Merino Sheep was awarded to the Lette family, Conrayn, Berridale. Judge David Zouch commended the evenness of the Conrayn team when awarding the broad ribbon. “There’s a lot of wool production in all these teams,” he said. “The Conrayn team has evenness and is nourished right to the tip.” In second place was Merryville, Boorowa, while Thalabah, Laggan, picked up third place. PRODUCTION CLASS The production class was well supported at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, with 22 sheep put forward for judges Mark Hedley and David Zouch. The Grand Champion Strong Wool Ram from Lach River, Darbys Falls, finished on top, scoring 435 points out of a possible 500. It placed first in the two and four-tooth ram class and had the highest score overall. The ram, Lach River 21639, measured 21.3-micron and produced a 15.1kg GFW with 81% yield, giving a total fleece value of $171.82. It weighed in at 114kg with 42mm eye muscle depth (EMD) and 9mm fat. In the six-tooth class, an 18.8-micron ram from Thalabah, Laggan, placed first with 431.5 points. It had been awarded the Reserve Grand Champion Fine Wool Ram earlier in the day. It weighed in at 123.5kg with 42mm EMD and 10mm fat. It produced a fleece of 14.7kg GFW with 71.2% yield and was valued at $154.23. In the ewe classes, the Barron’s, Adina, Peak View, claimed the top spot in the two and four-tooth class with Adina 22148. It measured 17.4-micron with a 9.6kg GFW, 69.7% yield and $106.70 fleece value. It went on to weigh in at 79.5kg, scan 38mm EMD and 12mm fat, scoring a total of 358 points. In the six-tooth ewes, it was Merryville, Boorowa, who finished first and claimed the title of highest scoring ewe with Merryville 21677, which measured 18.1-micron with 11kg GFW and 73% yield. Its fleece was valued at $136.03 and it weighed 83kg with 39mm EMD and 9mm fat, scoring a total of 384.5 points. Scanning was carried out by Chris Parker, Summit Park, Hamilton, VIC, while Ian Elkin, Canberra, and Jacob Carmody, Boorowa, took care of the shearing. – 89 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1