TOP SIRE 2026–2027 NSW FLOCK EWE COMPETITIONS Uniformity, big frames and quality wool provides the win A Merino showcase was how judges described the Castlereagh Maiden Ewe Competition, which featured seven flocks from the Gilgandra, Tooraweenah and Mendooran districts. Returning judge Richard Chalker, Lach River, Darbys Falls, was joined by Andy McLean, Walgett, and associate judge Charlie Coddington, Dubbo, to oversee judging for the day. Pinehurst Pastoral Company placed first with their run of Poll Boonoke and Haddon Rig-blood ewes, improving on their thirdplace finish in 2025. The judges favoured the Pinehurst ewes for their uniformity, big frames and quality wool. “You’ve presented the sheep really well,” Andy said when offering judges’ comments. “You can see they’re well grown and early maturing. They’re good shapes and very uniform.” The family-run operation, consisting of Reg and Robyn Sweeney, along with Angus and Rowena Munro, aims to breed true dualpurpose sheep at their farm “Pinehurst”, Merrygoen. They presented a run of June/July 2024-drop ewes for judging, which as lambs tested 17-micron at shearing. The flock cuts an average of 7.5kg of 19-micron wool at shearing in October. They have used Haddon Rig genetics for 46 years, before infusing Poll Boonoke genetics 11 years ago as they moved into Poll Merinos. Despite experiencing a tight season, recording 488 millimetres of rain in 2025 compared to the average of 550mm, they were able to sell the wether portion of their lambs over the hooks for an average of more than $300. The flock is classed by Angus at a rate of 38%, with the culls joined to Border Leicesters. Tim and Will Bowman, “Gundy”, Tooraweenah, place second with their Egelabra-blood flock. Along with parents Michael and Jill, they run 1300 ewes in their mixed farming operation and aim to breed an “uncomplicated, moderate frame ewe with robust growth and easy maintenance”. The Bowman’s have been using Egelabra genetics for 40 years and averaged 113% lambing in 2024. When giving feedback, Andy said the Bowman’s ewes were well presented. “They’re not over developed but they’ve got enough width, barrel and you’re getting plenty of lambs. In third place were Joel and Kylie Bennetts, “Ukebung”, Merrygoen. Charlie, who was judging his first ever flock ewe competition, said they were “the more stylish sheep we’ve seen today”. The Bennetts’ utilise Cassilis Park, Coddington Uardry Poll and Weealla genetics within their flock. They aim to breed a plainer type sheep, focusing on producing meat sheep and finer wool with an emphasis on fly prevention. The flock cuts an average of 5.7kg of 19-micron wool at shearing in April and averaged 110% lambing in 2024. The Bennetts also felt the pressures of a tough season, recording only 263mm of their usual 559mm rainfall for the year. “Given you only received 260mm of rain last year, you’ve done well to get them to this size. It’s pretty impressive,” Charlie said. The encouragement award was presented to Danny Hutchison who runs 400 mixed-age Merino ewes at “Passchendaele”, Biddon. The Hutchison’s have used Weealla genetics for 15 years and aim to breed big framed sheep that cut a lot of wool. The flock is classed by Stuart McBurnie. Richard said they were “magnificent ewes. They must have had a good start as lambs”. He continued, “Their frame is really good. There’s a few that you could sweeten the wool up a bit in time, but you’re on the right track.” The competition, in its second year, featured properties on the eastern side of the Newell Highway in 2026 and will swap to the western side for the 2027 competition. Castlereagh Maiden Ewe Competition | Tuesday 3 March 2026 Photo captions. 1– Robyn Sweeney, Rowena and Angus Munro and Reg Sweeney with Isabelle and Jack Munro, “Pinehurst”, Merrygoen, winners of the 2026 Castlereagh Maiden Ewe Competition. 2– Malcolm Kater, Egelabra, Warren, with entrants Will, Michael, Jill and Tim Bowman, Tooraweenah and their Egelabra-blood flock ewes which placed second. 3– The Bennetts family, “Ukebung”, Merrygoen, presented a run of Cassilis Park, Coddington Uardry and Weealla-blood ewes to place third, pictured with Mick Sweeney, Emma, Joel, Sam and Kylie Bennetts. (Photos: NSW SMBA) 1– 2– 3– – 126 –
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