WITH the Royal Adelaide Show so much a part of SA's agriculture sector, a look through the years of showing prime lamb and maternal breeds almost serves as a history of the state's sheep producing past.
In the early years, there are a number of breeds that have become almost foreign to us now - the Dorset Horn, Shropshire, Cheviots and English Leicesters.
Looking at the later exhibits and there are a number of the breeds that have become a dominant in paddocks right across the state, the Poll Dorsets and White Suffolks.
But there are also a number of breeds that have been consistent right through, the Suffolks and Corriedales.
While the RAS remains a great supporter of some of the heritage breeds, which still have an important place in many modern operations, such as the Romneys, Ryelands and Polwarths, it is a rare sight to come across a Perendale.
The RAS was also the site of the inaugural Dorper class in 2000, as shown in this gallery.
But as much as this is a history of sheep - the breeds and the conformation - it is also a history of the people who work within the industry.
So many of the people found in the sheep shed, are following generations of footsteps heading to the back corner of the showground site at Wayville.
Through the year Stock Journal, as well as the RAS archives, have captured many great moments in the sheep shed, including some debuts or first major wins, of some breeders who have gone on to play a big role in the bloodlines used across the state.
There are also some more personal family moments, such as a father passing on advice to a daughter in the showring.
Check out our look through the #AdelShowMemories captured in the Royal Adelaide Show sheep shed.
Also, check out the RAS archives at rahs.com.au/about-us/history/archives/
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