Sheep Breeders’ Association general manager Greg Burgess said a shared passion for the sheep industry keeps the competition going.
“It’s the only true commercial sheep competition for NZ farmers.
“As a rule the judges look at around 150,000 ewe hoggets throughout the North and South Islands so they get a good look at stock.”
The annual event boasting $20,000 in prizes is a chance for farmers to benchmark their flocks against others at local and national levels.
It is also a chance to compare different farming systems and learn from other competitors as well as the judging panel.
Burgess said growth in the competition is seasonal but it tends to attract 250 to 300 flocks each year.
“This year we’ve had quite a few entries from the Blenheim-Nelson area compared to previous years.
“Farmer interest changes year-to-year but you can say the southern area of the South Island will always be quite strong.”
However, last year North Canterbury farming couple Richard and Mez Power won the top accolade.
Their objective is to breed robust, sound sheep that can handle the dry North Canterbury summers and respond by getting in lamb early to wean the heavy lambs before the schedule drops and the next dry sets in.
In their first competition in 2017 the Powers finished runner-up by half a point.
Burgess said the most common trend he sees in the competition is an eagerness by competitors to re-enter.
“It’s really quite encouraging.
“This competition is a great opportunity for sheep farmers to learn.”
Judging is based on flock performance. There are six sections: fine wools, Romney, Perendale, Coopworth, crossbred and composite. Hogget mating is not compulsory.
Points are awarded on production (50%), phenotype (20%), breeding objectives (15%) and wool quality (15%).
Farmers must have 90% of replacement ewe hoggets with a minimum of 300 wintered.
Judging has taken place over the past couple of months before the national breed winners, special awards and overall winner are named at Chateau on the Park, in Christchurch, on June 26.
The competition concludes later in the year with a field day on the national winner’s property.
Farmers Weekly is the official media partner of the NZ Ewe Hogget Competition.
