Claypans supreme at Show

The Bolt family, of Claypans Poll Merino stud, were victorious at the IGA Perth Royal Show, winning the supreme award of the Merino section.

Repeating the feat from last year when their medium wool ram took top honours, this year the purple sash was draped around the Bolts’ strong wool Poll Merino ram.

Stud co-principal Philip Bolt said with the good season, there was plenty of feed at home in the paddocks, making it an excellent year for sheep.

The three judges unanimously decided that the Claypans ram, which came up through the ranks, deserved the champion Poll Merino strong wool sash.

Judge Scott Pickering said the ram had size and structure, and stood well with an even balance of white wool throughout. The 20.1-micron ram was sired by Claypans 179 and was reserve champion strong wool winner at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo this year.

Claypans also found success in the autumn shorn section with a fine wool Poll Merino ram, which was sashed grand champion ram and junior champion exhibit.

The 17.2-micron two-tooth ram with a 100 per cent comfort factor had plenty of rump and spring of rib to get the judges’ attention.

Judge Angus Beveridge said the Claypans ram was structurally spot-on with beautiful wool.

Claypans also won the prestigious pen of three rams section sponsored by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA for $4000 in prize money. The Bolts also took out the pairs with a Poll Merino ram and ewe combination.

Also having a great showing were the McLagan family of Eungai stud, Miling, winning the grand champion Merino ram award with a four-tooth strong wool ram.

Mr Pickering said the ram had great structure, a good strong muzzle and carried a long stapled wool that was very white throughout.

Stud co-principal Peter McLagan said the ram was sired by Eungai Juddy 23, which was judged grand champion Merino ram at the 2013 Wagin Woolorama and Williams Expo.

The McLagans also won the grand champion ewe (autumn shorn) sash with a two-tooth 20.9-micron strong wool Merino ewe. The Mullan family of Eastville Park stud, Wickepin, had two grand champion ewes in the supreme line-up.

Their four-tooth medium Merino ewe had great long staple and bright wool, noted judge Peter Stockman when he sashed it grand champion.

The Mullans’ champion Poll Merino ewe, a 20.1-micron four-tooth, also stood out, with Mr Stockman praising its body size and wool purity, after announcing it grand champion.

In the three Merino ewes competition, the Rintoul family of Tilba Tilba stud, Williams, struck gold with their superfine group awarded top prize. Mr Beveridge said the superfine group was soft handling with evenness in the wool throughout.