Walcha Poll Merino ram sweeps the field at Armidale housed ram show

With only one ram in their show team, the Glenburnie Merino and Poll Stud, Walcha, has been awarded the supreme exhibit of the 80th Armidale Merino Ram show and sale.

Paul and Bateson Pittman's ram was sired by Laraben 2000349 out of a GSPE ewe and had a micron count of 18.1, a standard deviation (SD) of 2.6, a coefficient of variation (CV) of 14.4, and a comfort factor (CF) of 99.6.

Two Tasmanian judges oversaw the show with Anna Cotton, Kelvedon, Swansea, the superfine and ultrafine wool judge, while Bruce Dunbabin, Mayfield, Little Swanport, tackled the fine and fine/medium rams.

Ms Cotton said the supreme ram was an outstanding exhibit.

"We awarded the supreme to Glenburnie," Ms Cotton said.

"He's a spectacular ram, with beautiful coverage and evenness of crimp right across the body and right down to its hocks.

"We couldn't fault him; it was really spectacular."

Show steward Tony Gall, Uralla, said he saw the Glenburnie ram as a youngster last year when he was applying ear tags, and it caught his eye that day.

"He stood out then, but I couldn't really make a comparison then," Mr Gall said.

"Today, among strong competition, he has shown his style."

Bateson Pittman, who has enjoyed a stellar run in the Merino wool world, was displaying the ram.

Last year, he won the junior judging competition at the Royal Easter Show and then represented the state at the national titles, where he was the winner.

Wally and George Merriman's Merriville Stud, Boorowa, showed the reserve supreme champion, which was the champion fine wool ram. Merryville also showed the champion pen of three rams.

The champion ultrafine ram was shown by Danny Picker's Hillcreston Park stud, Bigga, with an entry from Glenbrook stud, Armidale, taking the reserve sash.

In the superfine classes, the Glenburnie ram was the champion, ahead of an entry from Des and Jack Carlon's Shalimar stud, Walcha.

The Glenburnie ram was the champion poll ram, with Hillcreston Park exhibiting as the reserve champion.

Reserve champion to the Merryville ram in the fine wool section was shown by Angus Dawson's Arakoon stud, Armidale.

Arakoon also showed the champion August-shorn ram and the champion two-tooth ram. Nerstane Stud, Woolbrook, showed reserve in the August-shorn section.

In the fine/medium classes, Demondrille stud Harden showed the champion entry, with the reserve sash going to Merryville.

Two New England Girls School students took first and second place in the junior judging competition. Aliyah McDonald, Narromine, won, with Bridget Strachan, Sydney, the runner-up.

Competition coordinator Angus Carter, Nutrien Armidale, said Ms McDonald would go on to the regional championship at the Baraba show. The winner will attend the Royal Easter Show to participate in the state finals of the competition.

Mr Carter said there were 15 entries in the junior judging.

"It was a good roll-up considering the school year had not officially begun," he said.

The entrants also took part in a fleece judging competition.

"They did an excellent job and spoke well about the crimp, softness, style and soundness of the fleeces on display," he said.