TOP SIRE 2026–2027 NSW FLOCK EWE COMPETITIONS Overall flock management impresses judges at Walcha The Walcha Show Society Merino Flock Ewe Competition returned in 2026 after wet weather forced its cancellation in 2025. Held on Friday 8 May, six flocks were presented for judging under the scrutiny of Mitch Rubie, Lachlan Merinos, Forbes, and Gavin Swords, Laraben Poll, Mudgee. Results mirrored the last competition in 2024, with Mick Lisle, “Malford”, Walcha, at the top of the podium again. He displayed 735 maiden ewes which were predominantly Nerstane-blood with influence from Yalgoo, Grassy Creek and Roseville Park. Mick’s breeding objectives include maintaining body weight and micron across the flock while increasing production of weather resistant, stylish, white wool and improving fertility. The flock is self-classed at a rate of 37% and shorn in November. Judge Mitch Rubie provided comment on the winning flock, describing them as well grown and well put together structurally. He was impressed by the overall management of the flock, which had produced a rate of 114.5% lambs weaned to ewes joined and averaged 5.2kg of 16.8-micron wool. “They were very balanced between body and wool type.” He also commended the classing of the flock, adding “the whole mob was really uniform”. In second place was the Yalgoo-blood maiden ewes entered by Henry King, Pandora Grazing Partnership, “Waterloo Station”, Walcha. The flock has run on Yalgoo genetics for more than 20 years, using those sires to breed their own rams. While a slightly different type to the Lisle’s ewes, Mitch said they had good constitution and a soft, white wool, “They had really soft, white, well-defined wool and were deep and wide in the body. They were really good cutting for their micron and type.” The flock currently records an average wool cut of 4.6kg of 16.3-micron wool, however Henry noted their current breeding objective was to increase the wool cut of their adult ewes to 6kg and reduce the micron to 15-micron. Angus Laurie placed third with his run of Nerstane-blood ewes on display at “Deloraine”, Walcha. The Laurie family has been using Nerstane genetics for over 20 years and use those sires to breed their own. The flock recorded an average wool cut of 4.5kg of 17-micron wool at their September shearing. “They’re really well made and well-grown. They have real length of body and are going to cut a lot of wool,” Mitch said. Other entrants in the competition included Taylor Family Trust, “Elswick”, Walcha, with their Haddon Rig-blood flock, Ross Fletcher, “Cairnie”, Walcha, with his Nerstane / Yalgoo / Boudjah-blood flock and Doug Lisle, Lisle Pastoral, “Ingleholme”, Walcha. Walcha Show Society Merino Flock Ewe Competition | Friday 8 May 2026 1– 2– 3– Photo caption. 1– 2026 winner Mick Lisle with his flock at “Malford”, Walcha. 2– Judges Mitch Rubie, Lachlan Merinos, Forbes, and Gavin Swords, Laraben Poll, Mudgee, during their inspections. 3– Angus Laurie, “Deloraine”, Walcha, with his third placed flock. (Photos: Kristen Frost) – 132 –
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