'One of the best fleeces you would see' claims supreme at Merino Nationals

In a nail-biting finish, just half a point separated the top four fleeces at the AWN Open Fleece Show during this year's Merino Nationals in Dubbo.

All up, 65 fleeces were entered, judged by AWN's John Croake, Tamworth, and Mark Taylor, Goulburn.

When it came down to the wire, Jono Merriman, Koonwarra, claimed the supreme and grand champion ram fleece.

The winning 90.5 point entry came from the housed fine ram section, scoring nine out of 10 for trueness to breed, handle, colour, bloom, and evenness; 10 for soundness and character/style; and 9.5 for length conformity.

Its 9.6 kilogram greasy fleece earned 25 out of 30 for clean fleece weight.

Mr Merriman said the polled ram, Koonwarra A20272, now used as a stud sire, held his own in the show ring.

The ram was the 2025 Sydney Royal reserve champion fine/medium August-shorn poll ram and the 2024 champion fine/medium ram at the Great Southern Supreme Merino in Bathurst.

While this marked Mr Merriman's first Merino Nationals supreme fleece win, his parents, Pip and Charlie Merrignee, Boorowa, claimed the title last year.

The family also celebrated their first NSW ram of the year award.

Judge John Croake praised the overall quality of entries, saying there was an "excellent selection of some of Australia's best wools" with "fantastic style and crimp."

"The supreme champion was exceptional in style, crimp, and overall quality," he said.

"It is as good a fine wool ram fleece I've ever seen."

Co-judge Mark Taylor added that it was "one of the best fleeces you would see."

Arlie Merino stud, Walcha, won grand champion ewe/wether fleece on 90 points.

The housed superfine ewe/wether fleece scored 10 for soundness; nine for trueness to type, length, handle, character, and evenness; and 9.5 for colour and bloom.

Its 7kg greasy fleece earned 27 out of 30 for clean fleece weight.

The stud also claimed third place on 89.5 points.

From the housed fine ram section, it scored 30 points for clean fleece weight and weighed 12.1kg greasy.

It scored 10 for soundness; nine for handle, colour, and bloom; eight for trueness to type, length, and character; and 7.5 for evenness.

Coban Merino Stud, Cunnamulla, Queensland, won champion medium wool fleece on 89 points.

The unhoused medium ram fleece scored 10 for soundness; nine for length; and eight for trueness to type, handle, character, evenness, colour, and bloom.

Its 13.5kg greasy fleece also earned 30 points for clean fleece weight.

Most successful exhibitor went to Sea Ori Pastoral Company, Laggan, while RM and RM Goron, Guyra, won the special class ultra fine.