A massive North Ashrose fleece, described by wool judge Rod Miller as having “wow factor”, has been awarded supreme exhibit.
Tom and Matt Ashby and families, Gulnare, scored the title with a fleece shorn off their 2016 Royal Adelaide Show supreme exhibit – North Ashrose Impact 3506.
Australian Wool Network state manager Rod Miller, who judged with Elders’ Rodger Lorraine, said the 18.4 micron fleece with a 74 per cent yield was a standout.
“The sheer size is what you see straight away, but it is also beautiful wool with all the technical qualities of fibre alignment, crimp and staple,” he said.
“Sometimes fleeces win on weight alone, but this is a true supreme champion.”
Tom Ashby said Impact’s progeny were showing promise and would be for sale in 2019.
“To be 18.1M and cut 14.8 kilograms of wool is pretty outstanding – it shows huge commercial value,” he said.
North Ashrose, which has been exhibiting wool since the early 1960s, also received grand champion ewe’s fleece with its grand champion Poll Merino ewe from 2016.
The 19.4 micron fleece off an Imperial family ewe weighed 11.2kg with a 73pc yield and scored 92.5 out of a possible 100.
The stud’s nine fleeces also won the best group of three competition.
Mr Miller was impressed with the evenness of many of the group of three fleeces from different zones.
But he said it was a surprise to see the lack of preparation in some of the individual fleeces.
“If there is an odd bit of frib or brisket, as a judge, we have to downgrade it,” he said.
Wool convenor Andrew Duncan said the wool entries were on a par with 2016, with particularly strong entries in the objective measurement class.
“It is a great natural fibre and huge part of our exports and it looks like being even more important for years to come,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get a few more entries in coming years.”
Mr Duncan said entering wool was a opportunity to receive good feedback, but also compare your clip to those across the state.
“The scores from year to year show if you are improving or where you can improve with your genetics,” he said.
Last year $5377 was raised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service from the proceeds of donated fleeces from the competition.
The Dalla family’s Orrie Cowie stud, Warooka, made a triumphant return to exhibiting wool after a near 20-year absence, being awarded most successful wool exhibitor.