TOP SIRE 2026–2027 NSW SHOW AND SALE RESULTS Rabobank National Merino Show Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August 2025 | Dubbo Showground C.T. Merriman and Son’s Merrignee stud, Boorowa, took home their first NSW Ram of the Year title at the 47th Rabobank National Merino Show with Merrignee 20310. The ram’s size and wool quality caught the eye of the judges, who described it as a “good example of a traditional stud wool growing animal”. Sired by Merrignee Magic, the ram recorded a fibre diameter of 17.6-micron and was sashed Grand Champion August Shorn Superfine Merino earlier in the day. Judges for the event included George Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa (superfine); James Ballinger, Waverley Downs, Delungra (fine); Richard Beggs, Nareeb Nareeb, Nareeb, VIC (fine/medium); Alan Harris, Koole Vale, Costerfield, VIC (medium), and Joe Dahlitz, Roemahkita, Cummins, SA (strong). “He is a good size for his type with a beautiful wool cut all over the body that is carried well down underneath,” George said. Owner Charlie Merriman noted the 130kg ram, “Harry”, would be retained in the stud. “It’s a great reward to take home a big ribbon like this, especially for a superfine to stand up against the Western Plains animals, which are exceptional sheep,” he said. In reserve was Poll Boonoke 240515, which rose through the March shorn ring to win Champion Fine/Medium Poll Merino Ram. George said the top two rams were evidence that “there is room for us all”. He said, “They’re two good sheep with different types and shearing. The short wool is the kind of ram we’ve been seeing all day. He is a great example of how the industry can have different types and outstanding quality as well.” The Supreme Exhibit was awarded to Collinsville Emperor 333, exhibited by Collinsville, Hallett, SA, which rose through the fine/ medium August shorn Poll Merino ring. When sashing the supreme ribbon, Richard Beggs said the ram was “well put together. He’s got plenty of barrel, length, depth of body, is beautiful through his flank and carries that wool right down underneath.” VIC-based Terrick West, Prairie, claimed back-to-back wins in the Grand Champion March Shorn Ram and went one better this year to also claim the Reserve Champion ribbon. The 18.7-micron Terrick West 31065 won through the medium wool Poll Merino rings to earn the grand champion ribbon, while the reserve, Terrick West 240342, rose through the strong wool Poll Merino classes. When delivering his judge’s comments, Joe Dahlitz commended the ram’s structure and wool. “He’s got great bone structure and a great back end, with a pretty special wool on him too,” he said. “(The reserve) is only a lamb with tremendous staple length.” Collinsville continued their winning streak across both March and August shorn categories, taking home Grand Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons for March Shorn Ewe and August Shorn Ram. Collinsville Emperor 333 and Collinsville Emperor 307, both sired by Collinsville Emperor 395, claimed the grand champion and reserve grand champion ram awards, respectively. Collinsville Masterbuilt 9-405 was awarded the grand champion ewe ribbon while Collinsville Lustre 33-433 won the reserve. Judge Alan Harris said the champion ewe had “style” when awarding the ribbon. “She has a good outlook, length of body and wool that just jumps out at you,” he said. “The reserve stands up well and has terrific strong wool on her. It’s as good a strong wool as you’ll see.” The Grand Champion August Shorn Ewe was won by QLD’s Mt Ascot, Mitchell, with Airlie, Walcha, in reserve. The fine/medium Merino ewe, Mt Ascot 40105, was a “standout”, according to judge James Ballinger. “She’s a very well-balanced and productive ewe with a very nice fleece,” he said. The reserve, Airlie 20028, came up through the fine wool Poll Merino classes. AUSTRALIAN SUPREME RAM OF THE YEAR SA’s Collinsville stud claimed back-to-back wins after being sashed the 2025 Australian Supreme Merino Ram. It tops off a great run of success for Collinsville Lustre 565, which won the 2025 Elders SA Stud Merino Expo Ram of the Year before going on to win the Supreme Merino title at the 2025 Australian Sheep and Wool Show. The embryo-bred ram was a May 2023-drop with a fibre diameter of 22.1-micron. It’s sire, Collinsville Lustre 33, sold for $88,000 to Lach River, Darbys Falls, and Westray Park, Peak Hill, in 2023. The ram’s dam, Collinsville Emperor 351215146, was part of the stud’s 2023 South Australian Pair of the Year. The Australian Supreme Merino Ram was judged by George Merriman, James Ballinger, Richard Beggs, Alan Harris and Joe Dahlitz. When delivering the judge’s verdict, James commended all exhibitors on the excellent lineup of sheep presented for judging. “We landed on the South Australian ram because he is extremely correct with a very consistent type,” he said. Other contenders of the title included Orrie Cowie, Nhill, VIC, Jolly Jumbuck, Mitchell, QLD, and C.T. Merriman and Son’s Merrignee, Boorowa, representing NSW. – 68 –
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