Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship 2020 won by Flowerburn

The maiden ewes came second place in the long wool section in the Crookwell Flock Ewe Competition and went onto compete against seven other nominated flocks from Boorowa, Crookwell, Gunning and Taralga Flock Ewe Competitions in the championship on Friday, March 20.

Flowerburn, a first-time nominee in the championship, was a clear winner for judges John Alcock of Greenland, Bungarby and Steve Phillips of Yarrawonga, Harden.

Mr Phillips said the ewes had "good structure; length of body; beautiful, pure faces; and beautifully nourished wool."

The presented ewes were from 2018 when Flowerburn achieved 116 per cent lambing with an average fibre diametre of 16.9-micron.

Mr Fitzell said he was very happy but surprised when Flowerburn was named the winner.

He said he changed genetics in 2012 to move from finer wool to crimpier wool and sheep with a larger frame.

To get through the drought, Mr Fitzell said he had weaned lambs early and fed them from when they were weaned to about ten months old.

"You can do anything with the Flowerburn sheep, you can join them to terminals (sheep typically bred for meat) or merinos," judge Mr Phillips said.

"They're coming from a very fine wool base, they're increasing their wool cut and body size and I think Daniel's doing a really good job."

In second place were Dermot and Tina McGrath of Clear View Partnership, Boorowa with their Tara Park bloodline ewes.

They were also jointly awarded People's Choice with Taralga Flock Ewe Competition winners Geoff and Margaret Croker of Meadow Drive, Golspie with their Winyar bloodline ewes.

Mr Phillips said the runners-up were good wool cutters and only lacked the structure of the winning team.

The other properties in the championship included Franita, Allamby, Naamaroo Pastoral, Killanear and Ayrston.

Mr Phillips said the drought could still be seen around Boorowa and Gunning, while pastures looked very good towards Grabben Gullen and Taralga following sporadic rain across the Southern Tablelands.

"Overall, the flocks were very good, particularly in the trying year we've had. We saw some dusty wool but that's part and parcel of what we're seeing at the moment," Mr Phillips said.

"When you think of how all these ewes come together from something like 7000 maiden ewes across all of the competitions, it's pretty good for the winner to come out on top, it's a great credit to them."

Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship organisers said they are already looking forward to the 2021 championship.

Crookwell Flock Ewe Competition

Boorowa Flock Ewe Competition

Taralga Flock Ewe Competition

Gunning Flock Ewe Competition