Perth Royal Show: calling on all fleeces for entry into the wool competition

The Perth Royal Show is calling on stud and commercial growers to enter their best shorn fleeces that will not only be judged by a team of experts, but will also be on display to the general public to appreciate from September 23 to 30. Royal Agricultural Society of WA councillor in charge of the wool section Ken Walker said the show experienced a negative effect from COVID-19 when the wool competition was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. “This is why we need help to encourage exhibitors to return to the competition,” he said. “Wool will be returning to its original area so we need fleeces to complement this bigger display space. “We need to display wool and sheep to the general public to create a positive image for our farmers.” Last year, after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus, the crowning of WA’s best fleece made a triumphant return, with long-time Williams woolgrowers awarded the purple sash. Among the 75 “top quality” entries received by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA, it was a bright white fleece from the Rintoul family’s Auburn Valley stud which took the honour in a close competition. Mr Walker said the Rintouls had been “very strong supporters” of the RASWA wool competition for many years and they were very appreciative for the support. Judge Tim Chapman said the farmer’s section of the fleece judging was well down in numbers last year but all fleeces were very even and had good character. “It was great to have the competition back and it will certainly give a boost to the future of this important event which goes well to educate people who live and work in the city,” he said. Broomehill woolgrowers Don and Jan Boyle and their family will enter their first ever fleece in the farmer’s competition at the show. Mr Boyle began shearing in 1965 before becoming a wool producer in 1978 and his sons Damien and Brendon now shear a total of 8000 ewes. “Damien was shearing one of his nucleus Westray blood ewes, and said have a look at this,” Mr Boyle said. “That’s good enough to enter in the Perth Royal Show.” The fleece competition entry nominations are now open on the RASWA website and it closes on August 13 with fleeces to be delivered by September 7.