STRICT culling has been nominated as the secret to success for Romney breeder Helen Wright, Pebblestone, Macclesfield, who claimed all four major broadribbons during the Royal Adelaide Show judging.
Judge Emily Davidson, Lucindale, awarded champion ram, reserve champion ram, champion ewe and reserve champion ewe to the Adelaide Hills stud.
The champion ram was from the 1.5-year-old to 2.5-year-old class - a July 2017-drop, which weighed 149.5 kilograms, with a fat score of 15 millimetres and eye muscle depth of 43mm.
Ms Davidson praised the "upstanding ram", for its neck extension and length.
"It carries itself well for an older ram," she said.
"It has a lovely fleece of wool - bright white, with good uniformity right through."
Ms Wright said the ram had a champion pedigree was a son of her three-time champion ewe, which had won back-to-back at the Royal Adelaide Show in 2017 and 2018.
Reserve champion ram went to the winner of the under 1.5-year-old class.
"It's a lovely young ram with great style," Ms Davidson said.
The champion ewe claimed its broadribbon fresh off a supreme victory at the Mount Barker Show.
The late July 2017-drop ewe weighed 78kg, 9fat and 31EMD.
"It's a lovely young ewe, and doing a good job on its lamb at-foot," Ms Davidson said. "It has a great, even fleece of wool, and is a lovely representation."
Pebblestone also won the group of three and sire's progeny group with a set of twin lambs that were also the offspring to last year's champion ewe.
Ms Wright said she operates a small stud of Romneys and Suffolks, which enables her to cull heavily.
"We can't afford to keep one that has got faults," she said. "They've got to be good at the beginning."
Ms Wright said she begins looking for potential from all the sheep right from when they were a lamb.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
