TOP SIRE 2026–2027 NSW FLOCK EWE COMPETITIONS Great wool growing animals announced winners The importance of making progress was the theme of the Bookham Agricultural Bureau Merino Ewe Competition, held on Tuesday 11 November 2025. Nine local flocks were on display from across the Yass, Harden and Jugiong areas under the scrutiny of judges Boyd Aveyard, Trundle, and Miranda McGufficke, Cooma. “Numerous farms mentioned the importance of making progress and enhancing efficiencies in their businesses,” said Miranda. She continued, “They demonstrated how they utilise technology and systems to better performance, including an auto drafter and Tru-Test software to collect performance data as well as managing lambing ewes, introducing AI and the comparison of genetic performance in commercial flocks.” Following a full day of farm visits, the judges announced the winner to be Max and Zoe Giles, Binalong, who had a Grassy Creek-blood flock on display, classed by Jim Meckiff. Their flock is shorn in February and averages 6kg of 17-micron wool. “These ewes were an excellent example of the Giles’ focus on using measured information and performance data selection to meet their breeding objective,” Miranda said. “Max was very thorough in his explanation of where the sheep were currently at, what improvements he has seen and where they are going next.” She said the sheep were “very even, great wool growing animals” and “what I took away was that the Giles’ are on track to meet their production goals and to increase the benchmark to the next level.” In second place was Chris and Margot Shannon, Talmo Pastoral Company, Harden, who had a run of Bogo-blood ewes on display, classed by Austin Grace. Their flock is shorn in May and averages 5.7kg of 17.4-micron wool. The Encouragement Award was presented to Mal and Rachel Elliot, Binalong. They presented a line of Yarrawonga and Tallawong-blood ewes for judging, classed by Jessica Patterson. Bookham Agricultural Bureau Merino Ewe Competition | Tuesday 11 November 2025 Photo captions. 1– The winning ewes on display at Max and Zoe Giles’ Binalong property during the Bookham Agricultural Bureau Ewe Competition. 2– Judges Boyd Aveyard, Trundle, and Miranda McGufficke, Cooma, during the competition. (Photos: Miranda McGufficke) 1– 2– – 116 –
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1