POLL Merinos may have been lower in numbers at Sydney Royal Show this year, but their quality and wool-growing capabilities were never in doubt.
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A smaller number of just 53 head from 14 exhibitors made up the section this year with ultrafine, superfine and fine wool judged by Simon Bahr, Meadow View Poll stud, Henty, while Syd Lawrie, Collandra North stud, Tumby Bay, South Australia, judged the fine-medium, medium and strong wools.
Grand champion Poll Merino ram broad ribbon went to the Merriman family's March shorn six-tooth fine wool grand champion from Merryville stud, Boorowa, advancing from its championship win at the Great Southern Merino in Canberra earlier this year.
Sired by a Uniform Poll family ram and growing 17.3 micron wool with a comfort factor (CF) of 99.7 per cent, this ram stood against a Grassy Creek four-tooth which become the reserve champion in the March-shorn section.
The Merryville ram was then selected over Nerstane stud's August shorn two-tooth for the fine wool grand award. Speaking on behalf of the two judges Simon Bahr said the ram had a big barrel and was deep bodied with a power of wool on him.
READ MORE: Finewool success to Merryville
"It's long staple, bright, well marked wool and really hard to go past for overall champion," he said.
Grassy Creek stud of Michael and Jane Corkhill, Reids Flat, featured in the fine wool ewe section taking home both champion and reserve March shorn ribbons with these continuing to grand and reserve grand champion ewes of the fine wool set. The grand champion ewe was by Yarrawonga 961 and was growing 19.4 micron with a CF of 99.8pc while the reserve was by Grassy Creek Henry.