IT was a great day out in the Poll Dorset judging for father and son Rod and Brad Davies, Wrattonbullie, Naracoorte, taking out supreme exhibit for the first time.
While the stud did not show at last year’s Royal Adelaide, they had been an exhibitor for more than 15 years prior.
The 15 month old supreme exhibit, which was also named senior champion ram, had been shown at Sheepvention in Hamilton this year, where it placed in its class.
Rod said the sire stood out to him for many reasons when choosing his show team.
“It’s just such a well balanced, complete ram that shows good muscle expression,” Rod said.
“It caught my eye as a lamb and I’ve used it in the stud.”
The ram will be sold at the stud’s sale at the Naracoorte Showgrounds on Monday, October 8, where they will be offering five stud rams and 120 flock rams.
Wrattonbullie was started by Rod in 1965, when he was the tender age of 12.
“I bought a few ewes with my pocket money, and I’ve been going ever since,” he said.
“I just think Poll Dorsets are the premiere prime lamb sire.”
Wrattonbullie bought six animals to this year’s show and the stud also took out reserve junior champion ram, with a sire that also placed at this year’s Sheepvention.
Both the champion and reserve were sired by the stud’s own rams.
Judge Alan Schinckel, who dispersed his Leenala Poll Dorset stud last year, said the supreme exhibit had what he was looking for in the breed.
“I like the thickness in the back end of this ram,” he said.
“I also like it’s carriage and style.
“To me, it’s going to breed some very handy flock rams.
“It’s also not overdone and it’s ready to go to work.
“It’s the type of ram that I could buy, take home and use it immediately with confidence, and that’s what I have come here to reward.”
The junior champion ram came from Lachlan and Rob Hart’s Glen Devon stud, Two Wells.
Aged 13 months old, the ram was by Kentish Downs 46715.
Its Australian Sheep Breeding Values were 198.3 on the Carcase Plus Index, 15.6 for post weaning weight and 1.3 for post weaning eye muscle depth.
Mr Schinckel said the junior champion had good fleshing through the loin and hindquarter and it was very good through the shoulder.
“It’s also got a good head and is a true Dorset type,” he said.
Mr Schinckel said the ram caught his eye when it came out in the pairs section.
Lachlan said it also stood out to him as one of his top young rams when choosing his show team.
The Glen Devon stud has been going since 1959.
