An in wool May 2018-drop ram exhibited by Basil and Heather Jorgensen, Mertex, Antwerp, Vic has snared the title of Champion Texel Ram, being described by judge Graham Day, Allendale, Bordertown, as one of the best rams he had ever seen in more than 30 years of judging the breed.
The champion ram weighed 135.5 kilograms with 10 millimetres of fat and a sensational 55mm eye muscle depth, and was "a clear winner" according to Mr Day.
"It's a long, heavy sheep but has still got that great muscling which the breed is famous for, it's a very impressive sheep," he said.
The champion ram won Champion Texel Ram at this year's Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo in July, an award previously won by the champion's sire, Mertex 1582, which is used intensely within the stud to breed Texels with good fat cover and durability.
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This is the third year Mertex have exhibited Texels at the Royal Adelaide Show, with the stud repeatedly reaping ribbons in the Texel showing, including Champion Texel ewe in 2017, and Champion Texel ram and Champion Texel ewe in 2018.
Mr Jorgensen said the champion was "an extreme Texel", with good meat attributes.
"He's got the length, and his father did too," he said.
Mertex also took out the Reserve Champion Texel ram, for an in wool July 2018-drop Texel weighing 122.5kg, with 10mm fat and 53EMD, commended by Mr Day for its wideness and good figures.
The ewe section was dominated by Barbara and Ian Nitschke, Glenarbian, Millicent, with the stud being awarded Champion Texel ewe and also Reserve Champion Texel ewe.
Mrs Nitschke was surprised with the win, and attributed the success to rapid growth of the stud ewes in the past month.
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"We came up against Mertex and a few others at Hamilton Sheepvention (in Vic) last month and didn't do as well, since then, our sheep have come up a bit better," she said.
"They've put on about 20kg between Hamilton and here."
Weighing 89kg with 9mm of fat and 47EMD, the August 2018-drop Champion Texel ewe had an appealing structure, according to Mr Day.
"She's a really nice wedge shaped and feminine ewe. She's lovely and long and still got quite a nice amount of meat in her hind end," he said.
Mr Day said the reserve champion also had a good amount of meat, and commended the exhibitors on an outstanding lineup of Texels throughout the showing.
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