Australian Sheep and Wool Show: Bendigo showcases top genetics
Bendigo will showcase some of Australia’s leading ovine genetics during the upcoming annual sheep and wool show.
A flagship event showcasing some of Australia’s most influential sheep industry genetics will take centre stage at Bendigo this month.
The Australian Sheep and Wool Show runs from July 14 to 16, and Poll Dorsets will be the feature breed this year.
In addition to breed judging, there will be shearing competitions, fleece judging and the Australian Sheep and Wool Show Merino Ram Sale.
Elders studstock manager for Victoria and Riverina, Ross Milne of Hamilton, said there were 99 lots catalogued in the sale.
“We have representation from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania,” he said.
Mr Milne said he expected solid interest from stud ram buyers and those looking for commercial sires.
“A lot of people look forward to coming to Bendigo. They look forward to the event; it’s a major event on the Merino calendar,” he said.
Mr Milne said he expected good interest from buyers for the diverse offering of rams.
He said the quality was good, and there was plenty of variety to suit the different needs of buyers.
Rodger and Kim Mathews of Borambil Merinos at Corowa, in southern NSW, have three rams in the sale and have been selling at Bendigo for about 20 years.
Mr Mathews said the rams looked good, and he was happy with them.
He said the rams would suit commercial buyers and hadn’t been “pampered” before the sale.
“I like (the rams) them to be in commercial working condition,” he said.
Mr Mathews said he wanted to be optimistic in the lead-up to Bendigo but believed the market climate was quite challenging at the moment.
“There isn’t a lot of confidence in the job at the moment, and that’s a shame,” he said.
“The sheep market has flattened right off.”
Poll Dorset breeders Andrew and Donna Scott of Valley Vista Stud at Coolac in NSW are regular exhibitors at Bendigo.
This year Poll Dorsets have been chosen as the feature breed at Bendigo.
They plan on taking six ewes and seven rams to show in the Poll Dorset classes,
“It is great to have Poll Dorsets as the feature breed. It puts the breed at front and centre,” Mr Scott said.
He said Bendigo was a valuable showcase for stud because it drew in clients.
The judging was also considered a benchmarking opportunity to see how his sheep were comparing against others in the industry.
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