Stud prospects tip scales for ram

A Kendenup Poll Dorset stud took out top breed honours at the Perth Royal Show this month.

With more than 150 entries in various classes, judge Paul Day, of Sunnybanks Poll Dorset stud, at Penguin, Tasmania, had his work cut out to select the top ram and ewe plus all the group classes.

“It was my first time judging at the Perth Royal Show and there were many great examples of the breed, sheep with plenty of meat in the carcase,” he said.

Mr Day worked his way through the big classes and was delighted to narrow the field down to the champions.

With 90 rams from the various classes, a Brimfield ram under 1.5 years, exhibited by Max Whyte and Gail Cremasco, of Kendenup, was Mr Day’s top choice for champion ram of the day.

“This ram has overall balance, is true to type with excellent muscling in the hind quarter and is a real stud sire prospect,” he said.

Mr Day selected a Shirlee Downs ram, exhibited by the Squires family, of Quairading, from the pair of rams class as his reserve champion ram.

He also put up a champion ram lamb award to the Squires family, for their Dongadilling June dropped lamb.

Mr Day then turned his attention to the ewes, picking a Brimfield entry from the under 11/2 years class for its “great volume” to be sashed champion, with a Shirlee Downs ewe, from the same class, awarded reserve champion.

His ewe lamb pick for the champion title went to the Fairclough family, of Stockdale stud, at York.

There was only one decision to be made — which would be elevated to a grand champion title, the Brimfield ram or ewe?

He appreciated the ram’s stud prospect and Mr Whyte and Mrs Cremasco were pleased to except any decision, knowing they were in the box seat for a win either way.

Brimfield also cleaned up the group classes including awards for the breeders group, the progeny group and the group of three rams, making it a successful show for the Kendenup couple.