Quantity of meat sheep in the Sheep Pavilion at the Tenterfield Show may have been down on Saturday but quality was high with both prime lamb and Dorpers being judged on the day.
Prime lamb judge David Friend from Warwick said the market these days is chasing heavy lambs weighing 55 kilograms plus, with the export market strong.
Glen Innes lamb producer Neville Campbell took out the class for Champion Prime Lamb Held by an Exhibitor, for an animal which exhibits the most desirable qualities for the present prime lamb trade (any breed or cross). The Tenterfield High School entry, held by Kurt Griffiths, was awarded Reserve Champion.
The high school won several classes including both Champion and Reserve Champion Pen of Prime Lambs (drawn from both trade and export weight classes), and the Most Outstanding Prime Lamb of the Show.
John Watson exhibited the Best Pen of Lambs sired by a Poll Dorset Ram, while Andrew Hines won for Best Pen of Lambs sired by other than a Poll Dorset Ram.
While only a small yarding of prime lamb was offered for sale, Mr Campbell’s 84kg lamb scored the top price of $152.
In the Dorper competition, judge David Curtis of Bellevue stud in Millmerran awarded the Supreme Dorper Sheep of the Show to a Eventine Dorper and Kelpie Stud ewe which he said had perfect conformation.
Eventine’s Grant, Tracy and Monica Hutchings were the most successful exhibitor, with Skeldale Dorpers exhibiting the Senior Champion Dorper ram.
