Success of an inaugural Wimmera Autumn Merino Sheep Show has provided incentive for organisers to work on making it an annual event.

Horsham Agricultural Society president Zack Currie said he was pleased with the number of entries in each of the show’s feature sections and was now looking forward to 2022. 

“We had more than 50 dogs competing in the Wimmera Yard Dog Trial, more than 140 stud merino and poll merino sheep from 17 studs across Victoria and South Australia enter the Wimmera Autumn Merino Sheep Show and 70 fleeces entered in the Horsham Fleece Show,” he said.

“It was a brilliant effort by exhibitors.

“The show’s success was underpinned by Robert Harding who instigated the autumn sheep-show concept alongside Ouyen Tamaleuca Merino Sheep Stud owners Kevin Crooke and Danni Wilson. 

“They were instrumental in compiling the schedule and the collaborative management of the show with Horsham Agricultural Society.” 

Wimmera woolgrower and co-organiser Warren Russell of Melrose Merino Stud took home several awards across both sheep and fleece shows.

Mr Currie said having the support of Wimmera woolgrowers including Melrose, Glenpaen, Glendonald and Mt Yulong studs, in addition to growers who travelled from across Victoria and as far as the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, indicated that showing was still relevant in the industry.

“This was reflected in a Orrie Cowie Merino ram from South Australia winning the Supreme Sheep of Show,” he said.

Mr Currie said another highlight was Glendonald Merino Sheep Stud’s Harding family from Nhill clocking up 100 years of showing and 50 years of showing for Robert Harding.

As part of the succession plan for industry events, the society’s introduction of junior sheep judging was also popular, with more than a dozen young agriculturalists entering the competition.

Matthieu Brehaut from Montrose Hill Merino Stud was the eventual winner.

Competition also attracted entries from Longerenong College students, most of whom volunteered as stewards on the day.

Mr Currie said entries in Horsham Fleece Show topped usual annual agricultural show numbers. 

He said fleece judge and Elders Horsham wool buyer Amy Carpenter was impressed with the quality of the wool on show, which led to Melrose Merino Stud winning champion fleece and Alan Hutchinson the aggregate. 

He said competition in Wimmera Yard Dog Trial was also strong, considering the event shared the date with state championships. There were high entries in the maiden and novice sections.

“Open winner Rob Macklin returned for the trial after competing in Lucindale on Saturday, which demonstrates the commitment and how far competitors will travel to showcase the skills of their yard dogs,” Mr Currie said.

“Competitors travelled from across the state for the trial and for many in the crowd of about 400 across the day, it was their first time watching a trial.

“Executing this COVID-safe event leaves us in no doubt Horsham Agricultural Society can manage shows and other events into the future as we recover from the effects of the pandemic, which is really encouraging.”

Results – 

Wimmera Autumn Merino Sheep Show: Supreme Sheep of Show, Orrie Cowie Merino Stud, Warooka, SA; most successful exhibitor, Wurrook Merino Stud, Rokewood; superfine poll merino ram, Melrose Merino Stud; superfine merino ram, Wurrook; superfine merino ewe, Melrose. Fine poll merino ewe, Melrose; fine poll merino ram, Wurrook; fine merino ewe, Wurrook; fine merino ram, Coryule Merino Stud; medium poll merino ewe, Oakbank; medium poll merino ram, Oakbank; medium merino ewe, Koolevale Merino Stud; medium merino ram, Glendonald Merino Stud. Strong poll merino ewe, Oakbank; strong poll merino ram, Glendonald; strong merino ewe, Oakbank; strong merino ram, Orrie Cowie.  Reserve grand champion ewe, Oakbank; reserve grand champion ram, Oakbank; grand champion ewe, Oakbank; champion ram, Orrie Cowie.

Glendonald Merino Stud Trophy winner for a merino or poll merino ram and ewe pair, Glenara Merino Stud 1, Mount Yulong Merino Stud 2. Horsham Agricultural Society Trophy for a merino or poll merino group of one ram and two ewes, Glenara 1, Wurrook 2. Champion March-shorn ram, Orrie Cowie Merino; reserve champion March shorn ram, Melrose.

Junior sheep judging: Matthaiu Brehaut 1, Tom Edson 2, Abby McDonald 3.

Wimmera Yard Dog Trial: Open, William Macklin; local, Aaron Zwar; encouragement, Jason White; maiden, Bill Graham; novice, Bill Graham; improver, Steve Robinson. 

Horsham Fleece Show: Most valuable stud ram fleece bred by owner, Warren Russell, Melrose; most valuable stud ewe fleece bred by owner, Warren Russell, Melrose; most valuable commercial fleece, D. Byrne and Sons; highest points awarded for weaner fleece, A. and J. Hutchinson; aggregate, A. and J. Hutchinson.

The entire March 31, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 31, 2021 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!