Willandra in Jerilderie has claimed the prestigious Elders Riverina Ewe of the Year.
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Competing at the Elders Riverina Sheep Expo in Deniliquin on Friday, they were among two Jerilderie properties to take home prizes on the day.
The Cameron family at The Yanko claimed the Northern Clip of the Year trophy for 2022.
Willandra’s Riverina Ewe of the Year win is the fourth consecutive trophy in this section.
Judged by Russell Jones from Darriwell Stud in Trundle, he cited the ewe’s excellent wool and very good lineage as reasons for selection.
The two year-old Willandra 31 is sired by Willandra 447, and is an embryo transfer lamb.
Angus Heath from Willandra Merinos said they were not surprised with the ewe’s win, having done very well at other shows this year.
It included a good showing at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo in July, where she was Reserve Champion in the medium wool poll section.
The coveted Riverina Ram of the Year was picked up by Poll Boonoke, for the eighth consecutive time.
Attracting one of the largest fields of contenders on the day, Mr Jones had his work cut out for him.
Considering sheep traits, body coverage, age, wool type, length of wool and cutting quality, Mr Jones eventually selected Poll Boonoke 211153 as the winner.
PB211153 is a May/June 2021 drop shedded ram, who was blade shorn in March ahead of the showing season.
Some of the traits that appealed to Mr Jones included a fibre diameter of 17.4, eye muscle depth of 42.5mm and a fat depth of 6.5mm.
Wakool’s Induro White Suffolks claimed both the Riverina Performance Ram and Performance Ewe of the Year titles.
When it came to he Northern Clip of the Year, three winners were announced.
As well as announcing The Yanko as the 2022 winners, 2021 and 2020 winners from expos cancelled due to COVID were also revealed.
The 2020 winner was the Paraway Pastoral Company property ‘Cooinbil’, near
Conargo.
The 2021 winner was Paul and Sue Dye from Tchelery Pastoral Co near Moulamien.