New Zealand's leading sheep breeders were celebrated at a dinner in Cromwell on Friday night when the 2009 New Zealand Ewe Hogget Competition winners were announced.
Richard Gloag, of Buscot Station, at Omarama, was named the overall winner and received $10,000, as well as the right to host a field day on his property later this year.
Mr Gloag also won the fine wools section.
Other section winners were John Gilkinson, of Morton Mains Farm, at Wyndham, who won the Coopworth section, and Lizzie Carruthers and Phil Hunt, of Wanaka, who won the Romney section.
Ross Minehan, of Fairlie, won the crossbred section, Stephen Harrison, of Balclutha, won the composite section, and Mike McElrea, of Tapanui, won the Perendale section.
All section-winners won prizes, which they received after giving short presentations at the dinner.
New Zealand Sheepbreeders Association national convener George Fletcher, of Cromwell, said the finalists were all of a high standard and were supported by top production figures.
"Finalists were all very positive in their outlook with sheep farming, and this showed in their management," he said.
Mr Fletcher said entries in some categories were down this year, however, due to drought and changing land use throughout the country.
The awards were organised by the New Zealand Sheepbreeders Association, and were sponsored by Alliance Group, Merial Ancare, Rabobank, Ravensdown, and Country-Wide.