Decades in shearing sheds provides the edge for “Bunjie” Brian Corby spent decades in shearing sheds prior to buying “Bunjie”, near Taralga, and claims this experience has been essential in his sheep breeding enterprise, which was awarded top honours in the 2026 ANZ Agribusiness Taralga Region Flock Ewe Competition. The competition was held on Friday 6 March, with winners announced at the Taralga Show a week later. Brian presented a run of 120 September 2024-drop maiden ewes for display, breed on a combination of Carrabungla and Niela genetics. He classes the flock himself, culling at a rate of 20%. “Bunjie” was established by Brian from the ground up while transitioning from a former cattle operation. He now joins approximately 320 ewes and noted that everything had been paid for by the wool market over the past three decades. “Over a fair period of time I got a good shearing shed, a set of yards, machinery and hay sheds and a nice dwelling – all from wool and Merino sheep,” he said. Judges Ben Lane, Windridge Farms, Young, and Sam Picker, Hillcreston, Bigga, travelled across the nine properties on display, with discussions held on everything from weather to electronic identification and how animals are traced at processors. Competition organiser and Golspie wool producer Chris Croker, “Ayrston”, said the quality of the displayed flocks were a credit to the nine producers who opened their farm gates across the district to more than 50 attendees. “The standard was higher than previous years – the top five were all very high standard flocks, but Brian’s had the edge,” he said. “They were a good even mob of sheep, with good wools and good bodies.” Chris acknowledged that positive trends in the wool market had made an impact, supporting the innovation of wool growers over recent years. “People who have continually stayed with Merinos can see the light at the end of the tunnel and they’re going to benefit through these competitions,” he said. Chris himself was awarded second place for his Thalabahblood flock, which rebounded after a challenging lambing season in 2025, resulting in an even and highly commended group of sheep. Brian’s “Bunjie” flock joined fellow flock ewe winners at the Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship on Friday 20 March. ANZ Agribusiness Taralga Flock Ewe Competition | Friday 6 March 2026 Photo captions. 1– Brian Corby, “Bunjie”, Taralga, with his champion ewe flock. 2– Brian Corby’s Carrabungla and Niela-blood winning ewes. 3– Chris Croker, “Ayrston”, Golspie, with his secondplaced Thalabah-blood ewes. (Photos: Kristen Frost) 1– 3– 2– – 129 –
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