Grand champion superfine ram
Montrose Hill Merino stud, Illabarook, won the grand champion superfine wool ram with a long-wool with fleece credientials of 16.4 average micron, 2.3 standard deviation, 14.0 CV of FD, 99.9pc comfort factor, 55 curv, 15.1 spinning finesness
Judge Michael Collins, Mount Bute Merino stud, Linton, said the winning ram was a beautiful specimen that carried quality wool well down its flanks on a “very well put together” structure.
The six-tooth ram was by Nerstane 910 and out of a Montrose Hill Brilliant Example fine wool ewe and principle George McKenzie said the ram had been shown five times for five grand champion wins, including ASWS, Ballarat and Sheepvention last year and Balmoral and ASWS this year.
“This is the best sire we’ve ever bred,” Mr McKenzie said of the August ’13 drop ram, by whom Montrose Hill already has 80 lambs.
Grand champion superfine ewe
Grathlyn’s grand champion superfine ewe has lived up to its winning parentage.
The ewe was among the first drop of lambs by sire Grathlyn 12-12, who is already proving its mettle.
The ewe’s full ET sister was supreme ewe at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and her full ET brother was reserve grand champion ultrafine ram at last week’s ASWS, being runner up to the Conrayn ultrafine ram that went on to be grand champion Merino ram of the show. The stud also won reserve grand champion ultrafine ewe.
Principal of the Mudgee NSW based stud Andrew Rayner said the ewe’s dam was grand champion ultrafine ewe at Sydney in 2010.
The ultrafine winner’s wool measured 16.2 average micron, 2.7 standard deviation, 16.7 co-efficient of variation and 99.9 per cent comfort factor.
Mr Rayner said the ewe would be shown at the National Merino Sheep Show, Dubbo, next month before going into an ET program in the future.
