The Mundulla Prime Lamb Competition made a triumphant return on the weekend after a five-year break, with a record 52 entries penned for on-hoof judging.
Despite the searing temperatures the competition, held in conjunction with the local show, drew strong local support but also producers from Kingston and Padthaway.
They were vying for $10,000 in cash and product across the two crossbred and Merino classes.
Each entry, comprising 10 lambs, was muscle and fat scanned and judged on this as well as skin value, documentation and pre-sale crutching.
Competition co-convenor Kym Lovelock said the quality of lambs was "exceptional" although he noted about 70 per cent of the lambs were bought in because breeders lambs had been sold earlier in the season.
'We had been hoping for 30 plus entries but there was renewed enthusiasm to support the show and the sponsors," he said.
Mr Lovelock said it was more important than ever that producers received increased feedback on their lambs.
"As abattoirs get more precise with their measurements it is important to know which breeds will perform better and potentially go down the path of which studs we should source rams from," he said.
"Sometimes it is the basic things people may overlook too - they may overcrutch or not fill out their paperwork correctly so it is about showing them what they can do better to put more dollars in their pocket."
DI&KM Winter, Mundulla, claimed top honours in the crossbred export class (52 to 58kg) with their White Suffolk sired lambs scoring 264.4 out of a possible 300 points.
Willswood Farms, Bordertown, came up trumps in the crossbred trade lamb section with White Suffolk sired second cross lambs scoring 254.3 points.
The lambs were weaned about six weeks ago and were being lot fed pellets which the family produces.
Lock-Haven, Mundulla, took out the Merino section with their May 2018 drop lambs bred from Kongal Park blood ewes and sired by Ashrose and Sherlock rams.
The on-hoof judges were Pinkerton Palm Hamlyn & Steen director Robin Steen and JBS Australia livestock buyer Brendan Geary.
The top five placegetters from each section progressed to on-hook judging at JBS Australia's Bordertown abattoir on Monday with the results to be announced soon.
