A MONSTROUS young ram from Moorundie Park stud, Gulnare, with a bright white, medium wool with outstanding test results was always going to be hard to beat in the Fibre Meat Plus class.
The 127-kilogram ram B306, which was also grand champion autumn shorn Poll Merino ram, came up trumps from 33 entries for the stud's thrilled Tom and Laura Davidson.
It had an eye muscle depth of 43 millimetres and 7mm fat, plus fleece measurements of 3.2 standard deviation, 16.4 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor.
The class, which has grown to be one of the most prestigious in the catalogue, highlights the dual-purpose attributes of the SA Merino with scores based on wool and carcase measurements and the assessment of the meat and wool judges. It is open to March shorn rams with no more than two permanent teeth.
The following day the winning Moorundie Park ram attracted frenzied bidding during the Adelaide Ram Sale, where he sold for $53,000.
"The winning ram has just a massive wool-cutting area and has density and quality wool all over his body – a real standout ram," Fibre Meat Plus wool judge Peter Wallis said.
Moorundie Park was the first winner in the competition seven years ago. Mr Davidson said it was always pleasing to succeed in the class, which focused on the meat and wool that their clients' incomes depended on.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.
Catherine Miller
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
Stock Journal's livestock editor and South East correspondent.
