'Thumping' success for school in Suffolks after huge 'blow' to breeding

After a devastating loss of two-thirds of their stud, a ewe from Peel High School, Tamworth, has risen through the judging to be sashed supreme Suffolk exhibit at the NSW State Sheep Show at Dubbo on Saturday, May 31.

The ewe, originally from a novice class, was selected out of a final two with a Bowen ram, which was backing up his success from the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Judge Dale Cameron, Balmoral, Victoria, commended the ewe, calling her the "complete package".

"She has type, hindquarter, is thick all the way through and presents well," he said.

"She is a very proud ewe and stands beautifully."

Peel High School agriculture teacher Ben Bowman said this was their biggest win in quite a few years.

The school has operated a Suffolk stud since 1983, and usually had a flock of about 35.

But earlier this year, a dog attack resulted in the loss of 22 ewes and one ram out of the flock.

"It was a huge blow to the stud," Mr Bowman said.

He said it was good to have some good news, with the win an "uplifting" occasion after everything the students had been through.

"It is very exciting - the kids put in a fantastic effort," he said.

"The kids do 80 per cent of the work - if the kids aren't learning and getting involved, we're not doing a service for the future of the ag industry.

"It is all their hard work, in selection, feeding and the management they do."

The supreme ewe, tag number 16, was nicknamed 'Thumper" by the students because of her "big thump of muscle', and was sired by Bowen 915.

During the show, the school had been running a raffle to raise funds to help them rebuild their breeding.

Mr Bowman said there had been terrific support from the Suffolk breeders.

The champion ram was backing up his success from Sydney, where he was judged champion Suffolk ram before going on to be ASSBA prime lamb interbreed ram winner.

The ram, Bowen 240410, came from the milk-tooth class, and was bred from their ram Bowen Jackie.

In a quality display of the Suffolk breed, Mr Cameron said the champion ram caught his eye for most of the day.

"He has good confirmation, carcase, walks well and is good across the top," he said.

Bowen principal Greg Good, Milthorpe, said it was good to see the ram continue his successful streak.

"He's a really stylish ram, stands well on his feet and got the data to back it up as well," he said.

The ram will be lot one in their sale.

The reserve champion ram and reserve champion ewe both came from the Lelapa stud, Young.

The ewe, Lelapa 24002, was described by Mr Cameron as a "very outstanding" sheep.

"She's got the bone, the length and a good type of head," he said.

Lelapa principal Brendon McMillan said the ewe, out of the June-drop class, had won the supreme sheep of the Hawkesbury Show a few weeks earlier.

The ewe was sired by Oberon 1171, out of dam Oberon 8026.

Mr Cameron said the ram, Lelapa 003, had a "perfect top line and wasn't far behind the champion".