BRINKLEY'S Dean Pearson achieved the highest combined wool and carcase value at the Monarto Hogget Competition with a rising one-year-old Merino.
A group of wethers from eight producers were run together over a six-month period from September last year on Mr Pearson's property.
His Wallaloo Park-blood hoggett came back with a commercial fleece value of $54.98 and a commercial carcase value of $102.01, giving the hogget a combined commercial value of $156.99.
The lamb weighed 51.5 kilograms on March 31 this year, had a dressed weight of 19.25kg and a value of $5.30 a kg.
It carried a 16.3-micron fleece with a greasy skirted weight of 5kg.
It was the first time Mr Pearson, who is a long-time entrant of the competition, had won the combined value award after previously winning the wool classes.
Thomas Farms, Brinkley, took out the objective wool class with a Merino carrying a 14.3M fleece with a value of $55.28.
The Gale family, Galaxy Park Prime SAMM, Monarto, won the objective carcase competition with a SAMM lamb dressing-out at 21.23kg, and a commercial carcase value of $112.51.
In the single ewe and pen-of-four competitions, judged by Richard Halliday, Callowie Poll Merinos, Bordertown, Judy Paech, Lucernbrae Merinos, Callington, took both awards with sheep from a commercial flock. Mr Halliday said he was impressed by the wool -- its clean staple, and the structural soundness of the sheep.
In both the single ewe and pen-of-four classes Colin Wegener Nominees, Callington, placed second.
Mrs Paech said it was a surprise to get the win in both classes after entering sheep only to help support the competition.
A highlight of the evening was the donation of $500 from the Monarto Agricultural Bureau to suicide prevention groups Silent Ripples, Murray Bridge, and the Strathalbyn Community Suicide Prevention Group.
* Full report in Stock Journal, April 10, 2014 issue.