Big night of firsts for WA and SA sheep studs in national pairs judging
A Western Australian farming family has earned a national accolade that they've wanted to win for a long time.
Rangeview stud principals Jeremy and Melinda King, Darkan, WA, took out the August-shorn National Merino Pairs title at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in Bendigo on Friday night.
The Kings finished as runners-up in the same competition two years ago, and were excited to "come back and win it" this year.
"It's a great concept, I like the idea of representing your state, not just your stud, and the states competing," Mr King said.
"The whole state gets behind you.
"We've wanted to win this for a long time."
He said the ram was sired by the ram that came runner-up in 2023, and the ewe was by one of his half-brothers.
The ram had come second in his class earlier in the day, while the ewe had won champion August-shorn fine medium wool Merino ewe.
He said getting a strong pair was no easy feat, let alone one that matched.
"Outwardly, they match really well, their wool is very close," he said.
Mr King said the win made the big trip to Bendigo worthwhile.
"It's a long process from when they're born to now," he said.
"Twelve months ago, you go home and put together a team that you hope to come back with and be competitive with 12 months later."
He said the ram would be offered for sale at the show's Merino ram sale on Sunday, while the ewe would head back to WA with them.
One of the judges David Zouch, Bigga, NSW, said the Kings' sheep were an "outstanding pair".
"The depth of bodies, the length of bodies, the coverings and just the balance of them both, they were magnificent," Mr Zouch said.
"They both stand extremely well and have lovely wool.
"They match one another really, really well.
"It's a credit to the breeders."
He said the pairs from across the country were one of the "best line-ups" he had seen for a long time.
A South Australian stud took out the March-shorn portion of the competition.
Collinsville Merino stud, Hallett, SA, who won the August-shorn competition last year, decided to mix it up and attempt a win with March-shorn sheep.
"It was very thrilling," Collinsville stud manager Tim Dalla said.
"It's the first time we've been in it, so to do that is outstanding."
Mr Dalla said the pair were two home-bred Poll Merinos who were 13-months-old with lambs teeth.
"They're typical of what we're trying to breed, which is sheep with terrific structure, great constitution and early growth," he said.
"And then to cut plenty of good-quality, medium wool."
He said the ewe would enter an embryo program, and the ram would be used as a stud reserve.
One of the judges Steven Bolt, Corrigin, WA, said the Collinsville pair won "unanimously".
"They're a pair of magnificent sheep," Mr Bolt said.
"They've got that evenness and thickness of wool that we're looking for.
"It's beautiful, white wool.
"They're both structurally very sound and correct.
"They're a beautifully matched pair of sheep."
The reserve champion August-shorn pair went to Airlie Merino stud, Walcha, NSW, while the reserve champion March-shorn pair was awarded to Belbourie Merino and Poll Merino stud, Marnoo.
