THE WHITE River stud at Poochera has continued its dominance of the Eyre Peninsula Champion Hogget Ram competition, taking out first and second place.
Collandra North, Tumby Bay, took third prize and the Minta stud, Mount Cooper, was fourth.
The competition was held as part of the EP Stud Merino Breeders Association field day at the Wudinna Showgrounds on Monday.
Hundreds of people from throughout SA attended the event, which kicks-off the EP's ram selling season.
Sixteen Poll Merino and Merino studs registered for the field day.
Hogget ram competition judge James Sullivan, Greenfields stud, Hallett, was full of praise for White River's rams, and the overall quality of the exhibits.
"There's some great sheep here today, and not just in the line-up for judging," he said.
"But the winning ram from White River was a standout. He had great appeal, stood beautifully, has a great head and outlook. The ram also has good, gutsy, medium wool.
"To me, he was a clear winner."
The ram was a horned Merino and a son of Collinsville Coronation 558, bought by White River for $20,000 in 2011. Its dam, Kaldoonera, was a family ewe.
The June 2013-drop ram had 23-micron wool with standard deviation of 3, 13 per cent coefficient of variation and 98.6pc comfort factor.
Mr Sullivan described White River's second placegetter as a "great bodied ram": an April-May 2013-drop, sired by Nyowee 134.
Its dam was Leahcim 609, bought by White River in 2009 for $26,000.
The Poll Merino ram had 19.8M wool, with 2.9SD, 14.6pc CV and CF of 99.5pc.
Mr Sullivan said the third placed ram from the Collandra North stud had "great presence".
"This ram had great, well-nourished medium wool and stood really well," he said.
The ram was an April-May 2013-drop and is the son of Churinga Hotspot.
* Full report in Stock Journal, July 10, 2014 issue.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
