A HAMPSHIRE sow from Michael, Margaret, Shaun and Amy Blenkiron’s Gumshire stud at Keyneton ended the dominance of Durocs in the any other breed judging, taking out best of breed for the first time.
Prior to this year, the more commercial Duroc has been the best-performing breed in the any other section.
Judge John Singh, Byron Bay, NSW, said the Hampshire stood out to him because it was so true to type.
“It also paraded well and is in very good condition,” he said.
Gumshire Ann G680 had 13-millimetre P2 fat depth, and weighed 84.6 kilograms at 150 days of age, for an average daily weight gain of 564 grams.
The Hampshire breed is an important part of the Blenkiron family’s operation, as it is solely used in the preparation of their Gumshire branded products, which are sold at the Barossa Farmers Market in Angaston each Saturday, due to their outstanding meat quality.
Jim, Rhonda, Greg and Peta Davis, Aroora Enterprises, Murray Bridge, continued their strong showing in the section, with Durocs from their stud taking out both champion boar and reserve, as well as winning most successful exhibitor.
Their champion Duroc boar had 8mm P2 fat and weighed 96kg at 131 days old, for a 733 ADG.
For the first time in five years, Tamworths made a welcome return to the Royal Adelaide Show judging ring.
Wes Temmessl, Spicers Creek stud, Dubbo, NSW, is only 31 but he has been breeding Tamworths for almost 20 years, after starting off with them at the tender age of 12.
“It started off just as a hobby when I was a kid,” he said.
“I got a few from a fella in Tamworth, NSW, and it went from there.”
While Mr Temmessl is no stranger to showing, having been at Sydney and a slew of country shows, it was his first time exhibiting in Adelaide.
The trip over was worth it, taking out a blue ribbon in the sow aged 19 months and over section. In a special treat for visitors to the show, the same blue ribbon sow farrowed at the event, giving attendees the chance to see Tamworth piglets.