Standout ram with key commercial traits claims White Suffolk feature judging

An "exceptional ram" combining "key commercial traits all in one package" has taken the honours in the White Suffolk feature breed judging at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on April 17.

Rocdell 240062, which came from the under one-years, in-wool class, caught the eye of judge David Pipkorn, Detpa Grove, Jeparit, Vic, who declared himself a "fan of this animal".

But it was not an easy prospect to pick the champion ram, with Mr Pipkorn saying there had been plenty of high quality animals through the ring.

"It came down to the finer points to find a champion," he said.

"I looked for depth of loin, length of rib back and growth, to find those commercial traits all in one package.

"The champion had lovely depth of eye muscle and was very correct, structure-wise.

"It is a ram I like a lot, but it is a touch longer, with a bit more capacity, and that's why it's the champion ram."

Rocdell's Cameron Picker, Bigga, said it was also a ram they had admired in the stud.

"He's been a standout since birth and marking, we've always followed him along," he said.

The ram was sired by 'Jackpot', Rocdell 210019, who Mr Picker said had been an influential sire in the stud's top-end for the past three years, including selling his offspring to other White Suffolk studs.

He said they were still undecided about whether the ram would be retained in the stud or offered at the Elite Show and Sale in September in Bendigo, Vic.

Reserve champion went to young ram, Kinellar 2400008, out of the pairs judging.

Mr Pipkorn said the reserve champion had terrific balance.

"I like the outlook of this ram," he said.

Kinellar's Lachlan Patterson, Canowindra, said the ram was bred by a homebred sire, Kinellar 220204, and was expected to compete in the NSW Sheep Show at Dubbo at the end of May.

In the ewe judging, a June/July-drop entry, Rocdell 240300, took the tricolour ribbon.

Mr Pipkorn said the ewe had a smooth front, with length and capacity.

"She had a lot of high quality cuts, with a great loin and hindquarter," he said.

"She was beautifully balanced.

"While maternal, she still had enough strength and power to produce stud rams in the future."

Reserve champion went to another Rocdell ewe, Rocdell 240199, from the same class.

Mr Pipkorn said the two were very similar with many of the same qualities, but the bone in the champion gave her the edge.

The champion was bred through artificial insemination, by Rangeview 200006, while her dam was also sired by Rocdell Jackpot.

The reserve champion was sired by 'Dusty', Rocdell 210131, which had won the supreme exhibit at the Crookwell Show.

Mr Picker said with the White Suffolk breed marking 40 years, the breed would be the feature at several major shows during the year.

"It had been a focus to have this team up earlier than we normally would have," he said.

The show team will next compete at Dubbo, as well as the Elite Show at Bendigo.

Mr Pipkorn said the quality of the showing augured well for the breed in NSW.