TOP SIRE 2026–2027 NSW SHOW AND SALE RESULTS Hay Merino Sheep Show Saturday 13 June 2026 | Hay Showgrounds The 74th annual Hay Merino Sheep Show was celebrated with a solid display of 280 stud and commercial sheep from across NSW, VIC and SA. Overseeing the proceedings were judges Hamish McLaren, Nerstane, Woolbrook (long wool); Peter Wallis, Glenlea Park, Keith, SA (strong wool), Jeremy King, Rangeview, Darkan, WA (medium wool); and Angus Carter, Nutrien, Armidale (flock section). They were supported by associate judges Ollie Cameron, Angus Knox and Phoebe McCrabb. A Merino ram from Jerilderie’s Willandra stud claimed the NSW Best in State Hogget Ram award, described as a standout by judges. “He has structure and bone, a terrific head with great depth of jaw and beautiful wool,” Hamish said. Exhibited by the Wells and Heath families, Willandra 250051 was awarded Champion Medium Wool March Shorn Ram and Reserve Champion March Shorn Ram overall, placing as reserve to a Poll Merino ram from Orrie Cowie, Nhill, VIC. The 19.1-micron ram was an ET son of Wangenalla 190163 and out of a Willandra stud ewe, a combination which had already produced successful progeny for the stud. Angus Heath said a full brother to this ram won the Champion Strong Wool March Shorn Ram award in Dubbo in 2024, while another ram by the same sire had a run of success in the 2022 show season. “Both these sires are still in the stud so we’ll consider including Willandra 250051 in our auction later this year,” Angus said. The VIC Best in State Hogget Ram was won by Orrie Cowie, Nhill, while SA claimed the overall title for Riverina Wool Australian Champion Merino Hogget Ram. It was awarded to a Poll Merino exhibit from White River, Poochera. SA studs also claimed Grand Champion honours with Collinsville, Hallett, awarded Grand Champion Ram and Greenfields, Hallett, awarded the Grand Champion Ewe. Greenfields’ strong wool Poll Merino ewe exhibit went on to be awarded the Bill Lamb Perpetual Trophy for Supreme Exhibit of Show. “She’s one of those ewes that you don’t see very often,” Hamish said. “She has fleece all the way underneath and her belly wool is the same as what’s on top. She has coverage and evenness of wool all over her body.” In the unhoused section, the Huggins family, Woodpark Poll, Hay, won the award for most successful exhibitor for the eighth time in nine years and also won the Champion Unhoused Ewe award. It was a clean sweep in the flock section for young grazier Emma Northey of West Wyalong. She secured a number of awards, including the Pat Thomas Memorial Trophy for best pen of five ewe weaners, the Les Milliken Memorial Trophy for best pair of ewes, the Geoff Norman Memorial Trophy for Champion Ewe Hogget and the Sandy Circuitt and Family Perpetual Trophy for Champion Flock Ewe, becoming the overall most successful exhibitor for the flock section. The 2026 junior judging competition was won by Lacey Murnane, Broken Hill, who earned a place to compete at the RAS/AgShows NSW Merino Sheep Young Judges State Final at the 2027 Sydney Royal Easter Show. OPEN STUD SECTION Riverina Wool Australia Champion Hogget Ram White River, Poochera, SA NSW Hogget Ram Willandra, Jerilderie VIC Hogget Ram Orrie Cowie, Nhill, VIC Nutrien Ag Solutions Champion Hogget Ewe Towonga, Peak Hill Supreme Champion Ram or Ewe Greenfields, Hallett, SA Grand Champion Ram Collinsville, Hallett, SA* Grand Champion Ewe Greenfields, Hallett, SA UNHOUSED SECTION Pen of Five Unhoused Ewes Goolgumbla, Jerilderie Champion Unhoused Ewe Woodpark Poll, Hay Single Unhoused Ram Poll Boonoke, Conargo FLOCK SECTION Pen of Five Ewe Weaners E.J. Northey, West Wyalong Pen of Five Medium Wool Ewes A.M. and C.E. Browning, Jerilderie Pen of Five Strong Wool Ewes E.J. Northey, West Wyalong Pen of Five Flock Ewes M. Rutledge, “Yeadon”, Hay Champion Pen of Ewe Hoggets E.J. Northey, West Wyalong Champion Ewe Hogget E.J. Northey, West Wyalong Champion Flock Ewe M. Rutledge, "Yeadon", Hay Hay Merino Breeders Inc. Pen of Five Merino Ewes Australian Food and Agriculture, “Burrabogie”, Hay 74TH HAY MERINO SHEEP SHOW RESULTS – 98 –
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