Canberra Royal 2025: 'Standout' ram, 'classy' ewe take win in White Suffolks

A ram that was a "clear standout" has taken the supreme title ahead of a ewe with "plenty of class" in the White Suffolk judging at the Canberra Show.

The July-drop ram from the Avoca stud, Gulgong, followed its success at the Gulgong Show a week prior, where it also won supreme.

Breeder Ben Campbell said the ram was the "best White Suffolk ram we've bred".

Judge Brayden Gilmore, Baringa stud, Oberon, said the "clear standout" champion ram "would compete at the top end of the breed at any show".

"He had great breed type, muscling through the hindquarter, softness and carcase," he said.

"It's an outstanding young sire that's got everything the breed wants.

"I'm really pleased with this animal."

Reserve champion went to another "true-to-type" ram from the White Suffolk stud at St Pauls College, Walla Walla, which was among the first drops from the school's artificial insemination program from Almonvale semen.

Mr Campbell said the supreme ram was by another of their rams that had won champion White Suffolk ram at the Royal Bathurst Show.

He said the ram was an "easy-doing" animal.

"That's what we try to breed - good carcase and well boned," he said.

"I'll use him as a stud sire."

This was Mr Campbell's first time showing at Canberra, after judging the Border Leicesters in 2024.

The champion ewe also came from the St Pauls College stud.

"It's a ewe that's got a great outlook, great topline and plenty of class," Mr Gilmore said.

"It's got all the scale to be the deserving champion."

Reserve champion, "a well put-together young ewe", was also shown by St Pauls College.

St Pauls head of agriculture Belinda Everingham said the ewe was one bred by the school, from an Almonvale ram.

It had previously been shown at Holbrook, Cootamundra, Ganmain and Wagga Wagga, picking up the interbreed ewe champion title at Wagga.

The school runs about 32 breeding ewes in its stud flock and another 110 commercial ewes.

"We really breed for conformation and build the frame on top," Ms Everingham said.

She said, as the school expanded on its AI program, they planned to incorporate Baringa bloodlines alongside the Almonvale ones.

Ms Everingham said there had been great support from White Suffolk breeders in encouraging the students.

"We try to involve and invite students to be in the industry and see the opportunities but we can't do it alone," she said.

"People are willing to share their expertise and skillsets to foster (the students') interest."