Clare woolgrower makes it count

The 17.3-micron fleece, which scored 92.45 points, was off a 3.5-year-old Merino ewe, which had been shorn in April.

Mr Venning, who was busy for much of the show as a judge in the shearing competition, was thrilled to win the broad ribbon, continuing his long success at the event.

The valuable fleece was less than two points off the grand champion score.

"In 2008, I had the most valuable fleece of the show and have had a couple of reserve champions, but this is definitely one of the bigger wins," he said.

The fleece also won champion extra super fine Merino, and SA state champion - Mr Venning's third successive win. It weighed 6.7 kilograms and was valued at $66.61.

Although semi-retired, he still enjoys breeding top quality wool in an AI program with 40 ewes, involving semen from Rockbank stud at Dunkeld, Vic.

Mr Venning has high praise for the Australian Fleece Competition, which he has been entering for the past eight years, and is impressed by the strong support from commercial growers.

Now in its 14th year, it is the largest fully measured fleece competition in the world and this year attracted nearly 500 entries, competing for $14,000 in prizemoney.

Phil and Kim Hartwich, Mount Challicum Merino Stud, near Ararat, Vic, took out the grand champion fleece title with an ultrafine Merino fleece.

Tianyu woolbuyer Rod McLeish and Landmark Yennora wool manager David Freeman judged the competition and praised the high standard of the entries.

The Australian Fleece Competition is organised by Landmark, Australian Wool Testing Authority and the Australian Sheep Breeders Association with the support of 28 sponsors and more than 180 exhibitors.

Almost two thirds of the fleeces on show were donated by exhibitors for auction at the completion.

This year's nominated charity is Make A Wish Foundation