'Keeping the breed alive': Dorset Horns on show at Cowra

The Dorset Horn breed may be at risk but breeders showcasing their sheep at the NSW Dorset Championships are working hard to keep the breed alive.

The championships kicked off at Cowra on Friday with Dorset Horns taking to the ring, under the eye of judge Dane Rowley, Springwaters Poll Dorset stud, Boorowa.

Avoca stud, Gulgong, claimed the champion Dorset Horn ram with Avoca 465.

Ben Campbell, Avoca, Gulgong, said the ram was "well balanced" with plenty of carcase.

"He's a good Dorset Horn type," he said.

Mr Campbell said the ram was the champion Dorset Horn at the NSW sheep show recently and will now head to the Ekka in Brisbane later in the year.

Mr Campbell said he only started the stud two years ago with four ewes from Hillend Dorsets, Victoria.

"We're trying to do what we can to keep the breed alive and promote it," he said.

Judge Mr Rowley said the ram had the most frame and stretch of those on show.

"A well put together and good boned ram," he said.

In the ewe section Kurrajong Park Dorset Horn Stud, Bendemeer, reigned supreme claiming champion ewe with Kurrajong Park 55 and reserve with 54.

Evan Wright, Kurrajong Park, said the champion and reserve were both second generation ewes from their AI program.

"They're a blast from the past - the ram that sired those goes back to a ram we bred in 1984," he said.

Mr Wright said there was New Zealand breeding in their genetics with semen imported from Peter Ponsonby, Tuapeka West, NZ.

He said the champion ewe was a "pretty complete sheep".

"She's pretty hard to fault really," he said.

Mr Wright said he had been breeding Dorset Horns for 63 years.

"I want to keep the breed alive so it doesn't go extinct," he said.

"We want to add some new genetics - the breeders out there need new genes. Whilever you keep the genetics up you can keep the breed alive."

Mr Rowley said the champion ewe was a "nice type" and was very balanced with good shape through the carcase, shoulder and neck.

Kurrajong Park was also awarded reserve champion ram for Kurrajong Park 54.