TWO years after making clean sweep of the Suffolk group classes and claiming the champion ewe and supreme exhibits at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show, Rachel Chirgwin, Curlew Valley, Manoora, SA, is excited to be returning.
Ms Chirgwin is taking three rams and three ewes to Bendigo, as well as equipment for her muscle scanning business, which will also be operating at the ASWS.
Two years ago, while there was a strong team, a major part of the success was down to the supreme ewe, Curlew Valley Missy - which also won major prizes at Sheepvention at Hamilton, and the Royal Adelaide Show.
"She was definitely a star performer," she said.
That success drove her to look back at the pedigree and rediscover some other high-performing ewes in the flock, while there are a couple of "stand outs" among this year's show team.
Australian Sheep Breeding Values are a big focus for Ms Chirgwin, with that driving her to investigate new rams, including Missy's sire, Blackbutt 6776.
"It was a ram no one else was using - I went out on a limb and used it in an artificial insemination program, based on the ASBVs, and got eight lambs, including five rams that sold really well," she said.
On that same basis, she has invested in two new sires, which are helping her build more links with other studs.
We need to be working on sheep to meet the market now and in five years time.
- RACHEL CHIRGWIN
Ms Chirgwin started her stud at 17, building it up to lamb down 105 mature ewes and 45 ewe lambs, alongside running two other businesses - scanning sheep and selling grain, largely to sheep producers.
As part of her scanning business, she visits many other studs, which allows her to view a lot of sheep.
"I certainly keep my eye out while out and about muscle scanning and I have bought a few rams this way," she said.
"One of the best things, to me, is talking to so many different breeders.
"I've seen some of their exciting young rams but also created syndicates to buy rams or semen together."
Her grain business also helps her keep in touch with the commercial sector.
"I'm constantly talking to people about their breeding and what they're looking for," she said.
"It's important as a breeder to stay focused on the current industry and where it's heading.
"We need to be working on sheep to meet the market now and in five years time."
Ms Chirgwin said sheep shows were another great way to keep in touch with other breeders and up to date with genetics.
"Showing sheep is fantastic for benchmarking stock against others," she said.
"Part of the reason I like going to shows is you can get a good gauge of other people's stock from their show team.
"It's all about connecting with other stud breeders.
"It's good to learn about different genetics that I can bring back to my clients."
Ms Chirgwin is expecting this year to be particularly competitive, after a year off of showing.