Two Hallett studs rose to the top at the 70th annual Hay Merino Sheep Show in NSW on the weekend against some tremendous competition from three states.
Both grand champion ram and ewe were by the same sire- Collinsville Emperor 351- who himself was the champion strong wool ram at the same event back in 2019.
But it was one of the heaviest rams the Collinsville stud has ever bred, Emperor 200395 that ruled the ring for supreme.
The AI bred May 2020 drop Poll Merino caught the eye of judges Matt Ashby, Ashrose stud, Gulnare, Chris Clonan, Alfoxton stud, Armidale, NSW, and Drew Chapman, Hinesville Merino and West Plains Poll Merinos, Delegate, NSW, after winning champion medium wool ram.
Mr Chapman said it was a "unanimous decision" to awarded the ram supreme over a four tooth strong wool ewe exhibited by Greenfields stud, Hallett.
"We have two fantastic exhibits here," he said.
"But we couldn't go past the ram for his beautiful face and wool covering, with great length of staple and a bright lustrous wool.
"The ewe was unlucky, but she is still a wonderful example of the breed with soft, well-nourished wool on a great body with a good underline."
Emperor 200395 has already impressed in the ring winning the SA Ram of the Year at the Elders SA Stud Expo in Burra in March and half of Collinsville's winning pair from the same event.
Collinsville general manager Tim Dalla said it was pleasing to have the judges appreciate the quality of the 172 kilogram ram which was out of an Imperial 141 ewe.
"He is a monster with an excellent sire's head and good poll factor and very good rich medium wool," he said.
"To have the balance of good wool quality, plenty of it and such a good structured sheep is hard to do,"
Rob Sullivan said their grand champion ewe - which was bred from semen bought from Collinsville- would be part of their show team for the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo next month and the Royal Adelaide Show.
"She is a very big framed, square bodied, heavy cutting ewe with rich strong wool," he said.
Greenfields has won the grand champion ram several times in Hay but it was their first grand champion ewe.
"It is very important to have top end ewes as well as rams, it shows you have a bit of depth in your breeding program," Mr Sullivan said.
"She (Tag number IMP4) is one we could look to do an ET program with."
Collinsville continued its strong showing with a horned ram, Star Affair 200218, winning champion strong wool ram.
The two year old stud reserve was a son of the $72,500 ram, Star Affair 641 which topped Collinsville's offering at the 2019 Adelaide sale.
The Meyer family, Mulloorie stud, Brinkworth, were also among the broad ribbons with two two year old heavy cutting sons of Mulloorie Elliott- the grand champion Poll Merino ram from Bendigo and the Adelaide Show in 2018.
Their reserve champion medium wool, Mulloorie 2 "Lewie" was also the runner-up in the SA Ram of the Year title in Burra. He is being retained by the stud.
Mulloorie 20 won the reserve champion strong wool ram sash, That ram is earmarked for the Adelaide Merino ram sale in September.
These two rams were in both Mulloorie's winning group of three rams and group of five sheep.
Mulloorie stud's Paul Meyer said they were thrilled to win the group classes for the second year in a row.
"It shows the depth of breeding and the consistency in type of sheep, it is good to know our sheep are at the top end for production, wool cut and meat," he said.
