Australian Sheep and Wool Show 2019 Review
What a weekend at the Bendigo Showgrounds for the 142nd Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
I was working the Mobble stand, talking and listening to farmers about sheep prices, farm record-keeping and the hope for a wet spring.
With unseasonal sunny weather in Bendigo, it's no wonder the crowds were strong. 30,000 people were seen through the gates with 450 stalls selling anything from socks to tractors.
Very different to the chilly wet norm that Bendigo is known for this time of year.
Drought failing to hold people back
Mudgee merino breeder Andrew Rayner had been hit hard by the drought, but still traveled to Bendigo for what was his 19th consecutive year. The fourth generation farmer claimed the ribbon for grand champion ultrafine ewe on Saturday.
Organiser of the yard dog championships, Rod Cavill, said there were more competitors this year, with entrants from all over the country.
The sheep dog trials had a Twenty20 feel, with states competing against one another for the title.
It was a fun event that encouraged large crowds to watch the dogs do their work.
Farmers from everywhere
WA, NSW, Victorian, South Australian, Queensland and Tasmanian all had studs that shone brightly at times during the show.
An example of distance is Craig Dewer, who paid $10,000 to truck his sheep 3200km to Victoria. And he said it's worth every penny.
In the internet age, it’s easy for graziers to showcase their sheep’s best qualities. But there's nothing like checking out the animals you are looking to buy in person.
When selling sheep, “There’s nothing better than ‘eye to eye’ and a handshake,” Craig said.
Craig's from the property Broomehill, 320 kilometres south-east of Perth, a bloody long way to be carting sheep!
Top rams going for top dollar
Victorian Merino stud Glenpaen was all victorious at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at the weekend, topping the ram sale yesterday.
The Miller family’s stud from Brimpaen in the Wimmera scored a rare grand champion double. With the ram selling for the equal top price of $26,000 on Sunday!
Glenpaen stud principal Rod Miller said “You can’t keep them all,” and that it was “about time we let a good one go [to lift the studs profile]".
It was great to see the top rams sell for top dollar, but the ram sales were not all roses.
In the later half of the sale there were a lot of 'pass ins' and a lack of excitement. One would presume this has been due to the effects of the drought and dwindling sheep numbers.
There's a lot of work to do before we will see Australia's flock numbers build back up to the glory days, but I'm filled with optimism.
The prices are strong.
Signing off,
Jock Lawrence (Co-Founder & CEO)
p.s. below I've listed the honor roll for the 2019 show
HONOUR ROLL
MERINO
SUPREME AND GRAND CHAMPION EWE
Glenpaen, Brimpaen
GRAND CHAMPION RAM
Glenpaen
ULTRAFINE
Ram: Grathlyn, Mudgee, NSW
Ewe: Grathlyn
SUPERFINE
Ram: Trefusis, Ross, Tasmania
Ewe: Wurrook, Rokewood
FINE
Ram: Glenpaen
Ewe: Nerstane, Woolbrook, NSW
FINE/MEDIUM
Ram: Glenpaen
Ewe: Glenpaen
MEDIUM
Ram: North Ashrose,
Bundaleer, SA
Ewe: Coromandel, Gairdner, WA
STRONG
Ram: Kolindale, Kulin, WA
Ewe: Willandra, Jerilderie, NSW
VICTORIAN PAIR OF THE YEAR
Eilan Donan, Elphinstone
INTERBREED
SUPREME LONG WOOL
Glenlee Park (Border Leicester)
SUPREME SHORT WOOL
Mallee Park (Poll Dorset)
SUPREME CLEAN SKIN
Ardene (Australian White)
SUPREME LONG WOOL GROUP
Bindaree (Border Leicester)
SUPREME SHORT WOOL GROUP
Hillden (Poll Dorset)
CHAMPION CLEAN SKIN GROUP
Ardene (Australian White)
AUSTRALIAN WHITE
Ram: Ardene, Darlington
Ewe: Ardene
BLACK AND COLOURED
Ram: Werowna Park, Yass, NSW
Ewe: Werowna Park
BORDER LEICESTER
Ram: Bindaree, Merrygoen, NSW
Ewe: Glenlee Park, Glenlee
CHEVIOT
Ram: Chain Gate,
Wagga Wagga, NSW
Ewe: Chain Gate
CORRIEDALE
Ram: Gambier View, Derrinallum
Ewe: Sweetfield, Mount Moriac
DOHNE
Ram: Glen Holme,
Ewe: N/A
DORPER
Ram: Kaya, Narrogin, WA
Ewe: Dell African, Moama, NSW
DORSET DOWN
Ram: Woodhall, New Gisborne
Ewe: Woodhall
DORSET HORN
Ram: Redline,
West Wyalong, NSW
Ewe: N/A
ENGLISH LEICESTER
Ram: Koenarl, Timboon
Ewe: Koenarl
HAMPSHIRE DOWN
Ram: Aurora Park,
St Helens Plains
Ewe: Aurora Park
LINCOLN
Ram: Garvald, Byaduk
Ewe: Garvald
PERENDALE
Ram: Mount Monmot, Skipton
Ewe: Mount Monmot
POLL DORSET
Ram: Springwaters, Boorowa, NSW
Ewe: Mallee Park, Hopetoun
POLWARTH
Ram: Riverview, New Norfolk, Tasmania
Ewe: Taljar, King Island
ROMNEY
Ram: Tintern Grammar,
Ringwood East
Ewe: Tintern
SHROPSHIRE
Ram: Clarendon, Strathbogie
Ewe: Clarendon
SAMM
Ram: Lawral Park Prime,
Ungarra, SA
Ewe: Galaxy Park, Tintinara, SA
SOUTH SUFFOLK
Ram: Willow Drive, Grassmere
Ewe: Willow Drive
SOUTHDOWN
Ram: Yentrac, Burrumbeet
Ewe: N/A
SUFFOLK
Ram: Sayla Park, Kilmore
Ewe: Curlew Valley, Manoora
TEXEL
Ram: Mertex, Antwerp
Ewe: Mertex
WHITE DORPER
Ram: Kaya
Ewe: Dell African
WHITE SUFFOLK
Ram: Rene, Culcairn, NSW
Ewe: Mertex
WILTIPOLL
Ram: Reavesdale, Murringo, NSW
Ewe: Reavesdale
WILTSHIRE HORN
Ram: O’Loghlin, Deniliquin, NSW
Ewe: O’Loghlin