An outstanding three-year-old woolly ram from Radstock stud, Strathalbyn, named Rossi Boot stamped his seniority on the Romney judging to win champion ram.
Judge Josh Wiltshire, Imperial Partners, Mount Pleasant, said the 117.5 kilogram ram which was shown with 10.5 months of wool was a "stand out" for its impressive long stapled, lustrous fleece.
"He has that capacity, that length, that tremendous wool I am looking for, he carries all the way through and it is very even all the way down the leg and across the spine," he said.
Radstock stud principal Leslie Brewer said it was nice to be back in the winners circle with the August 2019 drop.
"He is a traditional true Romney with the true lustrous wool, and it is bulky and soft," she said.
"He has a good Romney open head, good dark points and sirey look and there is plenty of meat."
Radstock stud recently reached its 70 year milestone and Mrs Brewer said it was great to be able to continue her late mother Helen's legacy breeding Romneys.
She was pleased to see them finding favour again due to their hardiness. Romney-Merinos also made great prime lamb mothers.
"Every breed sometimes has a moment and then they fire up again, people are seeing how long they can live and how long they can keep good wool," she said.
"You can show them as young sheep and depending on where they are from they all grow at a different rate but to see them as a 1.5 to 2.5 year old and to see them carry that good fleece is so important."
The winner of the under 1.5 year old May shorn class exhibited by Eyre Peninsula based breeders Karen and Mark Dennis, Kurrabi Park, Koppio, was elevated to champion ewe.
The August 2021 drop weighed 85kg with a 42mm EMD and 14mm of fat.
"She stands up very well, she carries herself all the way through in that carcase through that barrel, through that twist but most of all she has that beautiful, lustrous wool," Mr Wiltshire said.
Mrs Dennis said the win was extra special as it had been very difficult weather to prepare their show team.
"We had 160mm in August , it has been cold, it has been wet, it has been really hard to get nick on them and get them up," she said.
"In the end we only had seven to pick from but what a show we have had- we won champion canola, champion Merino lambs wool and most successful Merino lambs wool exhibitor and now champion ewe and reserve champion ram."
Mrs Dennis said the ewe epitomised the type they were trying to breed and would be AIed to a New Zealand ram.
"If I could had 100 of these I would be absolutely delighted," she said.
A half brother to the grand champion ewe was awarded reserve champion ram.
The 84.5kg ram was a year old and had a 40mmEMD.
All seven of Kurrabi Park's entries were sired by Tukimina 9/2018.
A ewe bred by Helen Wright, Pebblestone stud, Macclesfield, was reserve champon ewe.
Pebblestone was also the most successful exhibitor.
Mr Wiltshire said the Romney breed had a lot to offer as a dual purpose animal and impressed by the consistency of type among the three exhibitors.
"You could tell which breeder was breeding what sheep as they had consistency in their wool type and style, then it was just a matter of me working out which ones I loved most," he said.
"I was looking for that 60:40 (wool to meat), it is more of a wool characteristic but you still can't give away that meat quality."
