Competitions

SWSSMB Field Day Competitions

Member Studs who display at the Field Day can compete in these competitions, all thanks to our Sponsors.

SWS Stud Merino Breeders Ram Of The Year proudly sponsored by Bromar Engineering and Riverina Wool Testers

The South West Slopes Stud Merino Breeders Ram of the Year competition is designed to select the best Hogget Ram in the region for any given year.

To be eligible to enter the competition the stud must be a member of the committee, and provide one ram:- showing no more than 2 permanent teeth which must be March tagged shorn.

Wendouree Perpetual Shield – SWSSBM Pen Of Three Merino Hogget Rams proudly sponsored by Wendouree Merinos & Schute Bell Badgery Lumby.

The Wendouree Perpetual Shield, donated by Gwen & Jack Whitechurch, and sponsored by Schute Bell Badgery Lumby will be awarded to the member Stud breeding & displaying the supreme pen of three merino hogget rams, showing no more than two permanent teeth.

They will be appraised as a pen showing evenness of quality & conformation to be March tagged shorn. These rams will be typical of the sheep breed in the South West Slopes region.

Judges for the 2023 Field Day

RETURN JUDGE - Rodney Kent

Rodney Kent and his family live on their property “Kurrajong” in northern NSW about an hour and half from the Queensland border. Kurrajong comprises of approximately 6000 acres and is a mixed farming enterprise with cropping and merino sheep. Kurrajong country is all black basalt with around a 28inch rain fall per year.

Rodney’s grandfather moved to the area over 116 years ago and the Kent family have owned Kurrajong for the past 100 years and have always ran merino sheep. Kurrajong Park Merino Stud has been registered for around 85 years and currently run 2500 Stud and commercial ewes.

Rodney has had the pleasure of judging at numerous shows including Dubbo, Sydney, Queensland State Sheep Show, Bendigo and Western Australia.

COMPETITION JUDGE - Rob Miller

Rod and wife Sue and family live on their property Glenpaen Merino/Poll Merino Stud in Brimpaen Victoria. Situated in the Southern Wimmera 54km from Horsham on the foot of Grampians National Park.

Glenpaen consists of 5600 acres and runs Merinos and Angus cattle. The average rainfall is 24 inches per year.

The Glenpaen Merino stud commenced in 1989 with some of the best genetics available to start our AI program and now runs 700 stud ewes and has a commercial flock of 4500 ewes.

The stud has achieved many accolades over the years at many major sheep shows, finishing each year with a successful On Property Sale in October selling approx. 120 horn and poll Rams.

Rod enjoys attending shows and catching up with like-minded merino breeders and discussing different genetics and new ideas within the industry.

Rod has had the honor of judging at many major sheep shows including Sydney, Queensland and Western Australia.

ASSOCIATE JUDGE - Lindsay Brown

Lindsay Brown was raised on a sheep & cropping farm near West Wyalong, NSW. Lindsay is in his final year of a double degree in agriculture and business at the University of New England, Armidale, NSW, majoring in international business.

In between study, he works for Alfoxton Merino and Poll Merino Studs near Armidale where he is involved in all aspects of the stud programs. Earlier this year he won the NSW State Final for Merino Sheep Young Judges at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Lindsay is enthusiastic about all components of sheep and wool production, marketing, and innovation. Once Lindsay completes his degree, he endeavors to build a longstanding career in the sheep industry.