It may only be a small stud, but Tidemoore at Bishopsbourne has the goods when it comes to agricultural shows.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Hampshire down stud picked up a handful of ribbons at Launceston Show on Thursday to add to its collection from North and North-West agricultural shows in recent years.
Owners Paul Franks and Wendy Hoyle have kept their Northern Midlands stud small and the animals are used to being handled, so perform well at shows.
“We only have eight breeding ewes,” Mr Franks said.
The Hampshire down ram competed in the under one-and-a-half years category and then went on to win the champion ribbon too.
Mr Franks was thrilled with the win, with the ram a result of an artificial insemination breeding program.
“He’s got a bit of New Zealand breeding in him,” he said.
Tidemoore contributed starting stock to Yolla District High School when its farm was created.
Sheep judge Steven French was impressed with both rams in the champion field, but awarded top spot to the Tidemoore animal.
“There are two very good exhibits in the interbreed,” Mr French said.
“The champion ram is a magnificent ram with very good wool, in show condition and good hindquarters,” he said.
However, he found one area where the Tidemoore ram could improve.
“If I’ve got a complaint, the only thing I would say is that he is a little heavy over the front shoulders, but he’s got a wonderful back line,” Mr French said.
The runner up ram received high praise from Mr French too, who said it was an animal to watch out for at future events.
“I keep liking this ram. He’s going to develop and fill out into quite an outstanding ram, but just on the day I don’t think that he could quite match up to the one I gave champion to,” he said.
“Stick with him, he’s a good ram. Well done,” Mr French said to the runner up handler.
Other sheep breeds poll dorset, dorper, southdown, romney and white suffolk were also judged in the sheep pavilion throughout Thursday’s event.
Cattle breeds Gelbvieh, Limousin, Simmental, Murray grey, red and black angus, shorthorn, speckle park, Jersey, Guernsey and Holstein were judged in the showground outside the pavilions.
Junior handling and miniature horse judging were also included.
While you're with us, did you know you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox? Sign up here.