Winning streak continues for Hampshire Down stud at Bendigo with 'stylish' ram
A stud breeder who only became involved in agriculture through school continued his winning streak in the Hampshire Down ring at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show on Friday.
Kane Hildred, Boonong Park Hampshire Downs, Mortlake, claimed supreme exhibit with his ram Boonong Park 2411, under the eye of judge Lachlan Kelly, Hexham.
Mr Hildred said the August 2024-drop ram had a champion pedigree, sired by Boonong Park 2303, who was the supreme Hampshire Down exhibit at the ASWS last year.
"We have always liked him," he said.
Mr Hildred said while the ram was a "late bloomer" compared to the rest, and this was his first show, he had "good muscle to go with his style and frame".
"He's a keeper," he said.
The ram weighed 94 kilograms and measured 10 millimetres fat and 44mm muscle.
Mr Kelly said it was the ram's hindquarter that put him in the top spot.
"He's strong, stylish and very smart," he said.
"It was splitting hairs but structurally, I'm very happy with the combination of the style of the ram and the balance."
Mr Hildred had further success, also taking out the grand champion ewe title with Boonong Park 2407.
He said the August 2024-drop ewe was also sired by 2303, and had "great style with plenty of carcase under her wool".
Mr Hildred said the ewe had picked up a few ribbons at country shows and was reserve at the recent Victorian Sheep Show.
Mr Kelly said the grand champion ewe "stood out the whole time".
"I appreciate her capacity and strength," he said.
"The main reason she got it over the reserve ewe is for her fill in the hindquarter which is important to me in meat sheep."
Mr Hildred said they started the stud in 2011 and only had small acreage so joined 25 Hampshire Down ewes a year, as well as running Corriedales, and sell a dozen flock rams a year.
"We love a compact sheep with plenty of carcase in them," he said.
"We're just small but we really enjoy showing and promoting the breed."
Mr Hildred said this was his 20th year attending the ASWS, having first attended during school.
"That's where we actually got the Hampshire Downs," he said.
"Neither myself or my partner were born into farming.
"We were from suburbia and did agriculture at Elizabeth Murdoch College and that's where our passion for it came from and has continued."
The most successful exhibitor was awarded to Aurora Park Hampshire Down stud, St Helens Plains.
