The ultimate ewe seals another win for “Flowerburn” 18th ANZ Agribusiness Crookwell Flock Ewe Competition Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026 Sixth-generation sheep farmer Daniel Fitzell added another trophy to the cabinet after winning the 2026 ANZ Agribusiness Crookwell Flock Ewe Competition. Daniel and his wife Erin, “Flowerburn”, Peelwood, showcased a run of September 2024drop ewes for the two-day competition, which featured 17 flocks from across the district. Nigel Brumpton, Jolly Jumbuck and Mt Ascot studs, QLD, judging alongside Hayden Cox, Bocoble, Eumungerie, praised the Fitzell’s sheep as “the ultimate ewe”. Nigel said, “That pen over there is the ultimate ewe: width, depth, good conformation, big twist and bright, lustrous wool. If you saw that right through your flock, you’d be very happy,” when offering feedback on the day. The flock, which also claimed champion flock status in 2024, is predominantly Langdene-blood now but has influence from Hollow Mount, Homesville and Cottage Park genetics. Daniel said he aims to breed the best traits of each bloodline to achieve a consistent type across the board. “We’re trying to breed a very soft-handling, white, bright, well-nourished wool with good crimp and structure, with length and plenty of depth in it.” The flock was shorn in August, averaging 17.4-micron in the main fleece line,and 15.6-micron in the hogget line. They were awarded first place for the long wool section, ahead of the Thalabah-blood flock exhibited by Brad and Maria Cartwright, “Kempton”, Crookwell, who presented 200 self-classed maiden ewes from their August/September 2024-drop. In the short wool section, Matt Nagle, “Wongaburra”, Binda, placed first with a run of Homesville and Niela-blood May 2024-drop ewes, classed by Brad Cartwright. Second place was awarded to Caspar and Shireen McDonald, “Aberdeen”, Crookwell, with their run of August/September 2024drop Carrabungla-blood ewes. The Leahcim-blood flock of Scott Kensit, “Hollywood”, Crookwell, was awarded the AWN Future Development Award. He had 400 June/July 2024-drop maiden ewes on display. The “Hollywood” flock were shorn in October and averaged 18.5-micron in the main fleece line. Despite the tough seasonal conditions affecting the Crookwell region, Hayden remarked on the quality of wool and animals presented for judging. “It has been hard for them, and the sheep are a little smaller, but that’s all seasonal conditions to me,” he said. “There are some beautiful wools there, and a lot of signs of moving forward. They’re going places in this area.” Nigel added that the variety of wools presented across the microns highlighted the versatility of flocks during the season. “We all do it tough and, no matter where you live, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” he said. “Some of these producers are still a bit traditional, and when the lamb and mutton market is so good, we can try and get a bit more dual-purpose ability in the sheep, a bit more size in them and make a solid article at the end of the day. Photo captions. 1– 2026 Crookwell Flock Ewe Competition winners Dan, Erin and Elyse Fitzell, “Flowerburn”, Peelwood. (Photo: Eliza Spencer, The Land) 2– Short wool section winner Matt Nagle, “Wongaburra”, Binda, with his flock of Homesville and Niela-blood ewes. (Photo: Supplied) 1– 2– – 117 –
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