March-shorn medium ring produces interstate grand champions at Merino Nationals

Two interstate studs dominated the march-shorn ring at Merino Nationals in Dubbo on Wednesday, taking out both grand and reserve titles.

Terrick West, Prairie, Victoria, and Collinsville, Hallett, South Australia, proved a formidable force under judges: George Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa, for the superfines; James Ballinger, Waverly Downs, Delungra, in the fine ring, for the fine/mediums; Richard Beggs, Nareeb Nareeb, Nareeb, Victoria, in the medium ring; Alan Harris, Koole Vale, Costerfield, Vic, and Joe Dahlitz, Roemahkita, Cummins, South Australia, for the strong.

Grand champion ram Terrick West 31065 triumphed in the medium Poll Merino ring, the show's biggest group, earning the coveted broad ribbon.

He recorded a fibre diameter of 18.7 micron, 2.4 micron standard deviation, 12.9 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor.

Judge Joe Dahlitz commended the ram's structure and wool.

"He's got great bone structure and great back end with a pretty special wool on him, too," he said.

Mr Dahlitz considered reserve grand champion, Terrick West 240342, "to be an elite strong wool ram."

"He's only a lamb with tremendous staple length," he said.

Rising through the strong Poll Merino ring, the ram had 18.6 micron, 2.5 micron SD, 13.6pc CV and 99.82pc CF.

Superfine Merino champion ram went to Merringee 21539, exhibited by Merringee, Boorowa, and reserve to Bocoble 20670, exhibited by Bocoble, Eumungerie.

Tara Park 21285, exhibited by Tara Park, Boorowa, claimed fine Merino champion ram, while Demondrille 21077, exhibited by Demondrille, Murrumburrah, took reserve.

Willandra 20379, exhibited by Willandra, Jerilderie, won fine/medium Merino champion ram, while Towonga 20211, exhibited by Towonga, Peak Hill, was in reserve.

Wanganella had a clean sweep in the medium Merino ram ring, with Wanganella 20473 sashed champion, and Wanganella 20469 in reserve.

In the strong ring, Collinsville 50488, won champion Merino ram, while Willandra 20383 claimed reserve.

Merringee 21357 won superfine Poll Merino champion.

Roseville Park 20947, exhibited by Roseville Park, Dubbo, claimed fine Poll Merino champion, with Towonga 20156 in reserve.

Poll Boonoke 20415 won fine/medium Poll Merino champion, and Weealla 20703 exhibited by Weealla, Balladoran, was sashed reserve.

Collinsville 242016 was reserve in the medium Poll Merino ring behind grand champion Terrick West 31065.

Reserve grand champion Terrick West 240342 was sashed strong Poll Merino champion, and Poll Boonoke 20418 claimed reserve.

In the ewes, the interstate dominance didn't stop with Collinsville claiming the grand champion and reserve grand champion march shorn ewe with Masterbuilt 9-405, and Lustre 33-433, respectively.

Rising from the medium Poll Meriono ring, the grand champion ewe had 19.7 micron, 2.8 micron SD, 14.3pc CV and 99.8pc CF.

Judge Alan Harris said Masterbuilt 9-405 "picked herself."

"She has a good outlook, length of body and wool that just jumps out at you," he said.

"She has that style."

Mr Harris also praised the stud's breeding.

"[The reserve grand champion] stands up well and has terrific strong wool on her; it's as good as strong wool as you'll see," he said.

Rising through the strong Poll Merino ring, the ewe had 20.5 micron, 2.9 micron SD, 13.9pc CV and 99.6pc CF.

The only Merino ewe to rise through the superfine Merino section, Merringnee 21476, won champion.

Tara Park 1291, the only fine Merino ewe to enter the ring, claimed champion.

In the fine/medium, Willandra 20387 won Merino champion, with Tara Park 21289 in reserve.

Towonga 20170 was sashed medium Merino champion, with Lach River 21414, exhibited by Lach River, Darby Falls, in reserve.

Lach River claimed strong Merino champion with Lach River 21411.

Demondrille 21118 won superfine Poll Merino champion ahead of reserve Merringee 21475.

Winyar, Canowindra, had a clean sweep in the fine Poll Merino ring with Winyar 21418 sashed champion and Winyar 21422 in reserve.

Roseville Park 20990 claimed top honours in the fine/medium Poll Merino ring with Terrick West 31009, Terrick West, Prairie, Vic, in reserve.

Willandra 20389 was reserve in the medium Poll Merino ring behind grand champion Collinsville Masterbuilt 9-405.

Reserve grand champion Collinsville Lustre 33-433 was sashed strong Poll Merino champion, and Willandra 20388 claimed reserve.