Balance secures first zone win for “Lockerbie” Robert and Belinda Neal, “Lockerbie”, Condobolin, claimed their first zone win at the Central West Association of Agricultural Shows Maiden Merino Ewe Competition. Their flock was one of six finalists from the Parkes, Condobolin and Trundle Competitions competing for the overall champion title for the region, under the scrutiny of judges Drew Chapman, Hinesville and West Plains Poll studs, Delegate, and Anthony Frost, Thalabah, Laggan. Robert and Belinda Neal, along with Alex and Louise Wells, run Gundarimbah-blood ewes at “Lockerbie”, which placed first at the annual Don Brown Memorial Merino Ewe Competition a week prior. They aim to breed a Merino ewe with quality and quantity of wool, along with “good carcass traits that respond to finishing on grain”. When offering feedback on the competition, Drew remarked that the balance of the “Lockerbie” flock put them at the top. “They were heavy cutting with good carcass traits,” he said. “Overall, all the flocks were well managed and very profitable commercial sheep. There was not a whole lot of difference in them.” Despite challenging season conditions throughout 2026, with only 262mm of rainfall, compared to 689mm received the year prior, Robert was optimistic about the sheep and wool markets. “The wool market lifts have been very good and the continuing strong meat market also helps the bottom line,” he said. Trundle wool growers Cranley and Georgie Gowing, “Lowan”, took out second place. Using Darriwell genetics for over 40 years, they aim to produce a large-framed medium to strong wool ewe with large wool cuts and stylish fleeces. The Gowing’s adult flock averages 20.8-micron, which has been maintained for the past ten years. “They were massive wool cutters with tremendous bulk and a real accent on wool production,” Drew said. Other finalists included Ray and Judi Unger, “Waratah”, Peak Hill; Craig and Liz Tanswell, Milpose Pastoral Company, Goonumbla; James and Elise Nixon, Leewang Pastoral, Yarrabandai; and the Crouch family, Karu Pastoral, Condobolin. 27th Central Western Association of Agricultural Shows Maiden Merino Ewe Competition | Thursday 5 March 2026 Photo caption. Belinda, Gabby and Robert Neal, “Lockerbie”, Condobolin, with their ram suppliers Kate and Spike Orr, Gundarimbah, Parkes, with Imogen and Archie. (Photo: Kate Orr) – 127 –
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