Cowra hosted the 2017 Dorset Championships on June 16 and 17 with studs from Canowindra and across the state bringing sheep to be exhibited.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Championship Chief Steward, Roger Traves, said the competition was very competitive and the class of the sheep exhibited was excellent.
“It’s (the competition) one of the largest gatherings of individual sheep of the Poll Dorset breed in Australia,” he said.
“The good early start to the season has probably helped.
“The quality of the sheep and the competitiveness of the studs on show make the competition highly competitive and makes judging the supreme exhibit what you look forward to doing.
“We had an excellent display of Dorset Horns and there has been an increased number of Dorset Horns this year that has been very pleasing.
“A few studs have come back, studs from down south have returned and studs that usually have commitments have returned so that’s made the number of exhibitors increase.
“We had 204 entries from 22 studs so that’s an increase over previous years that we are very pleased about.”
Mr Traves said the competition was an excellent place to view the breed before the spring sales.
"The quality of the sheep and the way they are presented is excellent and a credit to the breed,” he said.
“The championship gives people the opportunity to have a look at the sheep as they are progressing and have an early look at the sheep before the stud’s have their production sales.
“It is very pleasing to note that the Poll Dorset was very successful at the Dubbo Hoof and Hook in winning most of the major prizes and to see our stud breeders are producing rams that meet the commercial market.
Mr Traves said Cowra’s location made it the perfect destination for the competition,” Mr Traves said.
“It’s not quite central but regionally Cowra is very well based for multiple studs to come,” he said.
“The studs are keen to come to Cowra, the hospitality, the facilities are very good and they like that friendly country atmosphere.
“They appreciate the effort that goes into the competition.
“We are pleased with all of our sponsors and their support of the championships, the support of the Cowra businesses and the Cowra Council, without all of their support we couldn’t run the championships,” Mr Traves said.
