'Underdog' ultrafine Merino ram from NSW comes out on top of its wool type

A fourth-generation NSW stud has had its most successful year at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show in almost 10 years, with clean sweep wins in the August-shorn ultrafine Merino classes.

Grathlyn Merino stud, Hargraves, NSW, took out both the grand champion August-shorn ultrafine ram and ewe.

It was an underdog win for the Grathlyn ram, who got up on the reserve ram, also by Grathlyn, for the first time this show season.

"The ram that won was reserve to our other ram [at the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show] in Bathurst, NSW, and the Sydney Royal Show," Grathlyn stud principal Andrew Rayner said.

"So we had hoped we would make a champion out of him at Bendigo."

He said the win was particularly gratifying at Bendigo.

"This is the biggest ultrafine show in the world," he said.

"All along I liked the ram that won Bathurst and Sydney, but when I got them ready on Tuesday night, I said to Dad, 'I think the other ram will win'."

"I held him in the show, so that's where my money was."

Mr Rayner said the two rams were his favourites out of his 12-head show team.

"I really liked the ewe, but it is hard to get a grand champion out of a two-tooth ewe," he said.

"So that was really nice to get a win out of her as a baby.

"It's nice to just get a ribbon here, let alone to win both champions."

The ram had a 15.1-micron fleece, and the ewe sported a 14.8-micron fleece.

Judge James Collins, Mt Bute Poll Merino stud, Skipton, praised the ewe on her wool quality, which he said showed "fantastic quality and beautiful lustre" on a big frame.

"The ram was beautifully structured and a really proud ram, and the reserve was not far behind him," Mr Collins said.

He said the reserve ram lacked the quality and the length of staple compared to the champion ram's wool.

READ MORE: 'Best ever' Collinsville ram reigns supreme Merino at ASWS in Bendigo

Greenland Merino & Poll Merino stud, Maffra, NSW, won the grand champion March-shorn ultrafine Merino ram, while Glenara Merino stud, Dunkeld, won the champion ultrafine March-shorn ewe.

Greenland stud principal Greg Alcock said it was the stud's largest ever show team, which they drove nine hours from NSW to present.

"We brought 30 head to show this year," Mr Alcock said.

"We don't normally bring that many, but the kids are keen and we've done really well with them."

He said the best thing about their champion ram was his spring of rib, combined with his depth of body.

"So you know he's going to cut a lot of wool, and that's what you want," he said.

Glenara stud principal Trevor Mibus said their ewe was a robust, long-bodied, "good doing" sheep.

"She stands out for her size," Mr Mibus said.

He said the sire of the ewe was the best ram he had ever bred.

"In 2023, he won the grand champion ultrafine ram here at Bendigo," he said.

"These are his first lambs at the show now.

"She's very similar to her dad in her body and her wool."

The two-year-old ewe is currently in lamb to another of Mr Mibus' show rams.