Record wool entries

Press, 9 November 1984, Page 21

Record wool entries

The record number of fleeces entered*in the wool judging was very pleasing and a good indicator for the future of wool judging with objective measurement, said the judges, Messrs Kevin Collins and John Devine. A number of new exhibitors had been attracted from the Mackenzie Country to add to the traditional strength among the Merino fleeces from Central Otago and Canterbury.

The standard among the Merino fleeces was the highest seen for many years, said Mr Collins. The champion fleece was shown by J. R. Todhunter and Sons, Rakaia Gorge, and came from a strong combing ram. It was an outstanding sire’s fleece, said the judges.

It had particularly good staple formation, good character and a high clean fleece weight. The number of entries in the Corriedale classes was perhaps a little disappointing, the judges said, but the standard was high. However, the woolly hoggets showed too much colour and the standard was a little disappointing. Among the stronger fleeces there was a good showing of Border Leicester

hoggets but a general comment was that it was a pity that more fleeces had not been entered in the coarse classes given the excellent growing season throughout Canterbury. The standard among the Romney shorn hoggets was also worth noting, said Mr Collins and Mr Devine.