Supreme junior exhibit impresses as stud claims string of broadribbons

A Snowy Mountains stud has enjoyed a stellar show at Great Southern Supreme Merino at Bathurst this week, claiming several major broadribbons.

Conrayn Merinos, Berridale, were kept busy across the three days, showing a team of 16 rams and 11 ewes.

The work paid off, with the stud claiming a string of awards, including the supreme junior exhibit, the prestigious Roger Birtles group of five, and the most successful exhibitor.

Peter Lette, Conrayn, said he was thrilled with the team and all 27 were entered for the Sydney Royal Show.

He praised the help from all the school children at GSSM, who jumped in and helped throughout the show with everything from stewarding and cleaning the mat to packing away and cleaning yards.

The Merino ram, Conrayn 22106, rose through the two-tooth, March-shorn classes in the ultrafine ring to eventually win the overall junior exhibit under judges Phil Hartwich, Mt Challicum Merinos, Ballyrogen, Vic; James Ballinger, Waverly Downs, Delungra; Craig Trickey, Coryule Merinos, Willowvale, Vic; Will Roberts, Victoria Downs Merinos, Morven, Qld; and associate judge Angus Campbell, Yarrawonga, Harden.

The ram measured 16.3 micron fibre diameter with 2.5 micron standard deviation, 15.1 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor.

The judges praised the ram's wool quality and structure.

Mr Lette said the ram was from the stud's first embryo-transfer program two years ago and was sired by a Rock-Bank blue ram.

He had show success on both sides of his pedigree, with his dam's sire the grand champion ultrafine ram at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo in 2016.

Mr Lette planned to retain the ram, along with five others from that drop, to be used in the stud.

He and wife Jayne, were impressed by the young sire's size, shape, and length of staple.

"I just love his head," he said.

"Side-on he's got that big, long muzzle and big, strong jaw."

Mr Lette said they were excited to see him reach his potential.

"He's got a lot of growing to do," he said.

"I think he's got a lot left in him."

Other junior champions at GSSM included Billa Burra Burra 21190, who was sashed the junior Poll Merino exhibit.

Junior champion March shorns

Pictures by Rebecca Nadge

The ewe, exhibited by Billa Burra Burra of Bowning, came through the fine/medium ring and measured 18.2 micron with 2.6 micron SD, 14.4pc CV and 99.76pc CF.

She was by Billa Burra Burra Gonosh.

Junior champion March-shorn Merino ewe was awarded to Tara Park 21475, exhibited by Tara Park, Boorowa, who progressed through the medium/strong ring.

She measured 17.5 micron with 3 micron SD, 17.1pc CV and 99.7pc CF.

Junior champion March-shorn Poll Merino ram was awarded to Lach River, Darbys Falls, for Lach River 21639.

The ram also came through the medium/strong ring, and measured 21.3 micron with 4.1 micron SD, 19.4pc CV and 97.05pc CF.