All-breeds sash to Poll Dorset

It was very nearly a clean sweep for the Poll Dorset breed in the RAS All Breeds Interbreed Competition.

With eight judges observing sheep across a variety of breeds, the champions were well looked over to determine which was the popular choice among the many.

In awarding the interbreed champion ewe sash, judge Gary Armstrong, of New South Wales, said it was not easy to breed an even ewe. "I was looking for production and meat quality," he said.

Judge Tim Jorgensen, of Victoria, said these qualities were met more consistently with the Poll Dorset ewe, exhibited by Brimfield stud, when announcing the champion. "The ewe has plenty of meat and stands on good legs," he said.

In the interbreed ram judging, the Poll Dorset breed continued to stand tall, with the purple sash awarded to Dongadilling stud.

The ram was earlier judged supreme exhibit in the Poll Dorset judging against the Brimfield ewe, so onlookers were certainly wondering if the decision would be reversed when the additional judges had their say.

This was not the case and the Dongadilling ram exhibited by Sascha Squires and Eric Heal was granted the top accolade - best sheep in the shed.

While Brimfield missed out on the ultimate prize, the stud showed well in the group of three rams, winning the interbreed group award and pocketing $4000 for its trouble, thanks to the RAS.

In the ASSBA Interbreed Competition, three judges decided the fate of six entries from the various breeds. The champion ewe sash was awarded to Colorado South for its Border Leicester ewe, while the champion ram sash was draped on an Iveston South Suffolk ram.

Judge Belinda Bannister said the Border Leicester ewe stood well and was even throughout.

The South Suffolk ram was described as very long and stretchy with plenty of muscle, according to judge Alan Maton.

Champions *

RAS All Breeds Interbreed Competition *

·Supreme exhibit: *Dongadilling, Quairading (Poll Dorset ram) *

·Champion ewe: *Brimfield, Kendenup (Poll Dorset) *

·Champion ram: *Dongadilling (Poll Dorset) *

·Group of three rams: *Brimfield (Poll Dorset) *

·One ram and two ewes: *Bundara Downs, SA (White Suffolk) *

ASSBA All Breeds Interbreed Competition *

·Supreme exhibit: *Colorado South, Gnowangerup (Border Leicester) *

·Champion ewe: *Colorado South (Border Leicester) *

·Champion ram: *Iveston stud, Williams (South Suffolk) *