Monarto Ag Bureau brings sheep producers together amid a challenging season
District farmers have shared a night of fellowship and friendly competition at the bureau’s annual hogget competition at Callington.
This story was contributed by Judy Paech.
Sheep producers have shared a night of fellowship and friendly competition at the Monarto Agricultural Bureau’s annual hogget competition.
About 40 farmers and supporters attended the event at Callington Recreation Park on March 14.
There they enjoyed a yiros dinner provided by the women of the Murray Valley Lutheran Community.
Finance broker Judd Smith spoke about how to get the best value for a loan during tough times, and livestock advisor Steph Warwick highlighted the need to get sheep healthy and well fed during drought time, as well as when the season breaks.
One key point of interest on the night was the result of a wether lamb trial, after 16 farmers each donated two wether lambs in September.
The lambs were run together on one farm, shorn, body weighed and cared for by Rob Thiele.
They were then shorn again, micron tested and body weighed to compare the difference between their genetic factors and give a benchmark for each farm who entered.
Six producers also brought pens of ewe hoggets to be judged by livestock agent Luke Schrieber.
Tom Megson poses with Lucernbrae's ewes, Judd Smith speaks and Judy and Keith Paech inspect the flock. Photos: Nicola Walsh.
Competition results
- Wool and carcass combined value: Wayne Schenke $244.11, Liam Herbig $239.88, Lincoln Williss $238.03
- Carcass only value: James Stacey, Liam Herbig, Colrae Farms
- Wool only value: Lucernbrae, Lincoln Williss, Rhys Erickson
- Pen of six ewe hoggets: Lucernbrae, Rob Thiele
- Single ewe hogget: Lucernbrae, Rob Thiele
