Armidale continues winning ways

At a presentation for the supreme sheep at the Wānaka A&P Show earlier this month are the winning...
At a presentation for the supreme sheep at the Wānaka A&P Show earlier this month are the winning ram and ewe, both from Armidale Merino Stud, and (from left) judge John Bensley, of Australia, associate judge Kate Campbell, of Rakaia Gorge, judge David Zouch, of Australia, Hugo Paterson, 11, and his father, stud owner Simon Paterson, both of Gimmerburn, and New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece judge Craig Smith, of Wānaka. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
A Maniototo merino stud continues to enjoy success by sticking to its knitting.

Armidale Merino Stud owner Simon Paterson, of Gimmerburn, was "absolutely rapt" to win the New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece competition at this month’s Wānaka A&P Show.

The fleece received 99 points out of a possible 100 to beat nearly 240 other fine wool fleeces from 56 properties.

A point margin of 0.3 separated first and second place in the competition. Andrew Hore, of Stonehenge Station, near Patearoa, was second.

His brother Charlie, of Patearoa Station, won the "three-of-a-kind" category, where competitors enter three fleeces to be judged as one.

A fleece from Maniototo merino station Armidale won the New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece...
A fleece from Maniototo merino station Armidale won the New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece competition. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Armidale had won the supreme fleece category many times, including last year, Mr Paterson said.

"This year with the number of the exhibitors and the overall quality, it means a bit more — it is pretty special — it is the best display of merino wool I've ever seen at any show," he said.

Armidale also won the categories for supreme ram and ewe across all breeds.

Armidale had won the three supreme prizes for ram, ewe and fleece once before at the show.

When asked his secret for success, Mr Paterson said: "Consistently breeding for quality. A lot of it a mix of genetics, management and nutrition."

Any sheep on Armidale had to have a proven commercial performance in a large mob before it would be considered for entry to a show, he said.

Charlie Hore (left), of Patearoa Station, and Andrew Hore, of Stonehenge Station, won prizes in...
Charlie Hore (left), of Patearoa Station, and Andrew Hore, of Stonehenge Station, won prizes in the New Zealand Fine Wool Supreme Fleece competition. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE
The four-tooth supreme ram had good eye muscle and quality wool, he said.

Embryo transfer and semen from a Western Australian ram were used to breed the winning ram.

The supreme fleece was from last season, which had more favourable farming conditions than this season.

"We are extremely dry, so next season’s fleeces won’t be as great," Mr Paterson said.

Feeding out silage on Armidale began on March 12, about two months earlier than last year.

shawn.mcavinue@alliedpress.co.nz

 

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