Galaxy Park has claimed another lamb production title at the Royal Adelaide Show, winning the maternal breed title every year since the competition's inception.
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Judged on one ram and two ewes under 1.5 from the same shearing, the Prime SAMM stud yet again showed its dominance in the class with what is believed to be its 16th win in a row.
The Tintinara-based stud received a score of 29.33 out of a possible 30 for Australian Sheep Breed Values, 32.26 for structural assessment, 8 for both skin and wool and 6.5 for breed type, market suitability and uniformity, achieving a total score of 84.09, almost 20 points ahead of its nearest competitor.
Stud principal Geoff Gale said the event appealed to the stud for its commercial relevancy.
"It's more industry relevant as it takes in Lambplan data and physical measurements," he said.
"There are different judges for each score as well, so if there's a sheep that meets all the structural things and has good figures, but really shouldn't be in the show ring then the visual judges will sort that out.
"Traditional judging style is one person's opinion on the day, where this type is more from an industry perspective which is closer to what people are looking for and buying."
Mr Gale said the two ewes would be used in the stud, while the ram would be sold at the stud's upcoming ram sale later this month.
Meanwhile, in the Lamb Production Terminal Breeds, Illoura White Suffolks, Moorlands, took home the blue sash over exhibits from Newbold White Suffolks and Poll Dorsets and Koonawarra White Suffolks.
The stud was awarded scores of 29.6 for ASBVs, 32.8 for structural assessment, 3 for skin, 1.9 for wool and 7 for breed type, market suitability and uniformity for a total score of 74.3.
Stud principal Allan Piggott echoed Mr Gale's comments, saying the class removed the noise around feeding, environment and other factors.
"The breeding values are really good to give you a good picture of the genetic merit of the animal," he said.
"I think it's really important to include ASBVs in showing so people are able to look at the animal, look at its values and then validate the way the sheep looks.
"We've sort of been around the mark for a couple of years now but this is the first time we've won it, which is very pleasing.
"We're finding them more competitive and becoming something people are really keen to win."
Mr Piggott said the win came after an extended learning process.
"As time goes by you realise what the judges are looking for and we were able to give them that this year," he said.
"All factors like structure, conformation and skins are so important.
"These were all classed for their length of the animal, length of the loin, fertility, good feet and all those commercial traits that are just so important for the industry."
The ram was sold at the stud's auction last week, while the ewes will stay within the stud.
Katie Jackson
Journalist at Stock Journal. Born into a journo family in the state's South East, Katie made the move to the big smoke to join the team in early 2022 after seven years spent at various mastheads in the regions.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Born into a journo family in the state's South East, Katie made the move to the big smoke to join the team in early 2022 after seven years spent at various mastheads in the regions.
