Greenfields, Glendonald studs take out grand champion August-shorn Merinos

The Greenfields and Glendonald studs were the ones to beat in the August-shorn Merino judging, winning grand champion ram and ewe respectively.

It was a flip of last year's results, when Glendonald won grand champion ram and Greenfields won the same for their ewe.

But it demonstrated both stud's dominance in the August-shorn section.

Greenfields' grand champion ram was also the champion medium wool ram.

Stud principal Rob Sullivan said the ram was named 'Kossie' after Mount Kosciuszko in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.

"That's because his father was named 'Lofty' after Mount Lofty," he said.

Kossie was runner-up for the South Australian ram of the year at the Northern SA Merino Expo at Jamestown this year.

It also went to Bendigo for the Australian Sheep and Wool Show and came second in its class.

The 2.5-year-old ram featured fleece of 19.9 micron, with 3.6 standard deviation, 18.3 per cent coefficient of variation and 98.7pc comfort factor.

"He's just a very well balanced, very structually correct ram," Mr Sullivan said.

"He's very good on his feet and has a bulk of rich, stylish medium wool on him."

Mr Sullivan's views were echoed by the judge Tom Kirk, Bundemar, NSW.

Mr Kirk said he was impressed by the ram's structure and bright, white wool.

Kossie the ram will be retained by Greenfields for use in the stud.

Also putting in a stellar performance was the Glendonald stud, Nhill, Victoria, taking out grand champion ewe with its strong wool champion.

The ewe's fleece measured 21.4M, with 3.5 SD, 16.4pc CV and 98.1pc CF.

Mr Kirk said he failed to find any fault with the ewe.

"It's a very correct ewe, with a very long staple length," he said.

"It's very true to the strong wool type, and stands very well."

Handling the Glendonald ewes were the nephews of studmaster Robert Harding - who works in partnership with Orrie Cowie's John Dalla - Jamie Harding and Rohan Austin.

Mr Harding said it was the ewe's second showing in Adelaide, after winning her class last year. It was also the August-shorn strong wool champion at Bendigo this year.

"We picked her out as a hogget," he said.

"She's a beautiful ewe that stands well on her feet.

"To get a ewe as big as this, with the length of staple, that kind of quality is very hard to come by."

Coming reserve to the champion strong wool ewe was EC&LN Koehler & Sons, Radnor, Brinkley.

The reserve's fleece measured 21.1M, 2.7 SD, 12.8pc CV and 99.8pc CF.

A Queensland exhibitor also won a reserve broad ribbon, with Coban, Cunnamulla, performing well in the strong wool ram judging.

AUGUST SHORN MERINOS

Judges: Juan-Manuel Gonzalez, San Antonio stud, Uruguay (fine wool), Tom Kirk, Bundemar, NSW (medium and strong wool), associate judge Kasey Mullighan, Andrews

Entries: 17

Exhibitors: 5

Grand champion August shorn Merino ram and champion medium wool ram: Greenfields, Hallett

Reserve medium wool champion ram: Glendonald, Nhill, Victoria

Champion strong wool ram: Glendonald

Reserve: Coban, Cunnamulla, Queensland

Champion fine wool ewe: Glendonald

Grand champion and champion strong wool ewe: Glendonald

Reserve: Radnor, Brinkley

Champion medium wool ewe: Glendonald

Reserve: Mulloorie, Brinkworth