Poll Dorset best of breeds

In a repeat performance from last year, the Squiers family, of Shirlee Downs Poll Dorset stud, Quairading, were victorious in the British Sheep Breeds Interbreed Competition at the IGA Perth Royal Show.

Their Poll Dorset ram continued its dominance from the earlier breed judging and was judged best sheep in the shed against a White Suffolk ewe, exhibited by the Whyte family, of Brimfield White Suffolk stud, Kendenup.

The Shirlee Downs under-1.5-year-old ram first had to win a chance at the supreme title by going up against 13 other breeds in the interbreed ram line-up.

Ever so close, the eight judges had the Poll Dorset only one point better than a Suffolk ram exhibited by Pamellen stud.

In the breed judging, judge Grant Bingham said the Shirlee Downs ram would take some beating.

"The ram was full of meat and full of class," he said.

The Brimfield White Suffolk ewe qualified in the supreme decision after winning the Interbreed Champion Ewe Competition, with 14 other breeds in the line-up.

During judging, the ewe stood quietly while its twins enjoyed the grassy arena.

Judge Allan Piggott, of South Australia, said the White Suffolk had plenty of length, was smooth through the shoulders and was good on its feet, as he announced it as interbreed champion.

This time the judge's scores had the White Suffolk way ahead of the pack as a standout.

While Pamella Suffolk stud came away with both reserve champion ram and ewe awards, the stud was successful in winning the group of three rams and the $4000 prize money sponsored by the RAS.

Shirlee Downs won the champion group of one ram and two ewes with a Prime SAMM entry.

In the British Breeds Competition, a Binnaburra South Suffolk ram was judged supreme exhibit.

Judge Sascha Squiers said the upstanding, very correct ram was big, with length and plenty of fleshing and was smooth through the shoulders, compared to the champion Wiltipoll ewe, exhibited by the Miller family, of Eaglenook stud, Keysbrook.

Champions *

British, Australasian and Other Breeds *

·Supreme champion and champion ram: *Shirlee Downs, Quairading (Poll Dorset) *.

·Champion ewe: *Brimfield, Kendenup (White Suffolk). *

·Group of three rams: *Pamellen, Clackline (Suffolk) *.

·One ram and two ewes: *Shirlee Downs (Prime SAMM). *

British Breeds *

·Supreme champion and champion ram: *Binnaburra (South Suffolk). *

·Champion ewe: *Eaglenook (Wiltipoll). *

·Champion progeny group: *Nardie (Wiltshire Horn). *