Sheep numbers hit capacity as they continue their Royal Canberra return

In only the second year of the return of sheep to the Royal Canberra Show, entries have reached capacity, with a waitlist in place.

Sheep made a return to the show ring in 2024 for the first time since 2020, with 136 head exhibited last year.

This year, entries have closed at 250 - an 83 per cent increase.

Sheep section chief Narlisa Cooper said there had been a great upswell of support for the sheep section, with entries coming in from along the east coast.

"We've got a little network running in the background of breeders driving the entries," she said.

"They know we're only going to stay operational if we have the support."

Numbers were capped somewhat on pre-COVID levels as some of the space previously used by sheep, taken up by horses.

"We've filled the pens allocated and have a waiting list," Ms Cooper said.

"I'm hoping it doesn't deter some of those on the list from coming back next year.

"My aim is to get a full allocation of sheep (in future years)."

There are more than a dozen breeds entered, including three heritage breeds.

Ms Cooper said they planned to have a display celebrating these heritage breeds.

Without a formal committee organising the sheep section, there is no feature breed but she says there will be a strong contingent of Suffolks, while Poll Dorsets and White Suffolks are also going to be there in good numbers.

Other breeds entered include Border Leicesters, Southdowns, Baby Dolls, Dorset Horns, Dorset Downs, English Leicesters, Aussie Downs, Dorpers, White Dorpers, Black & Coloured and the Blacknose Valais.

Ms Cooper said they had also drawn entries from a wide area, with breeders coming from Victoria and Queensland.

"It's going to be a great little show," she said.

"Last year felt relaxed, like a small town country show, and we hope to keep that.

"All of last year's exhibitors, bar one, are back, along with some new breeders."

Ms Cooper said it would be great to have more people involved to form a committee and drive the show's success further, including a potential return of the Merinos.

Numbers are also strong in the cattle ring, which is expected to reach about 420 entries.

Chief cattle steward Peter Frater said numbers were on par with recent years, with some new competitors expected.

The cattle will also have a strong showing of rare and heritage breeds, with a new category open and about 17 or 18 rare breed cattle entered.

Mr Frater said good numbers were expected for the feature breed - the Lowline, with just shy of 50 entries.

He said exhibitors were also coming from multiple states, including Victoria and South Australia, as well as throughout NSW.

Mr Frater said there was a strong contingent expected for the junior show, between 160 and 170.

He said they had always received good support from schools, in part because they tried to link in with the curriculum where possible.

With this in mind, this year the committee was introducing a new meat judging competition, with about 25 to 30 students signed up already.

The Royal Canberra Show will be held on February 21-23.