A CONSISTENT campaign over 20 years has seen Calivil’s John Humbert claim the nation’s premier fleece prize.
The owner of Kedleston Park Merino Stud last week was last week awarded the 2025 Grand Champion title at the Australian Fleece Competition in Bendigo at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
“This is the biggest prize ever,” an elated John said after dominating the commercial fleece sections in recent years.
“And it’s the first time a medium wool fleece has won the grand champion title.”
John said the 19.7 micron fleece had come from a September shearing of older ewes.
“We’ve been winning ribbons for 20 years so it’s not a flash in the pan,” he said.
This year’s competition featured entries from all Australian wool-growing states and catered to the full spectrum of wool types from the finest Merinos through to British Breeds. Fleeces ranged in micron from 12.7 to 54.5, demonstrating the incredible depth and diversity of the national wool clip.
Mark Symes, who has been a judge in the competition for the last two years, praised the dedication of exhibitors.
“It was brilliant to see so many exhibitors bring so much enthusiasm to the competition this year. Off the back of a challenging year, the quality and quantity of entries was outstanding,” Symes said.
The Grand Champion fleece, measuring 19.7 micron, came from the Fine Medium Merino Stud Ewe or Wether class and scored 95.85 out of a possible 100 points. 
John said: “We are really excited and proud to have won the Grand Champion fleece award at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, fulfilling a twenty-year ambition. John said.
The Reserve Grand Champion Fleece was awarded to M & H Green, Boudjah, Nimmitabel, New South Wales, with a Superfine Merino Ewe fleece, scoring 95.50 and measuring 18.0 micron.
Judges for the 2025 competition were Mark Symes, G Schneider Australia Pty Ltd, and David Hart, Nutrien Ag Solutions. Mr Hart noted the exceptional depth of quality across all classes this year. 
“Overall, the competition is a terrific showcase for our wool industry and wool growers. The breeding and management skill behind these fleeces is extraordinary,” Mr Hart said.
Competition convenor and Nutrien Ag Solutions Wool Account Manager, Candice Cordy, said the number of entries and exhibitors reflects the continued commitment of growers to the wool industry.
“We’ve seen strong support again this year, with entries continuing to grow year on year,” Ms Cordy said. All fleeces were weighed and sampled under AWTA’s standard procedures, including objective measurement of length and strength.
The competition is a collaboration between the Australian Sheep Breeders Association, the Australian Wool Testing Authority and Nutrien.
Success at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show extended beyond the fleece sections for Kedlestone Park. The stud won the Grand Champion March-shorn strong wool poll ewe after similar success at the Victorian show in Ballarat last month.
Loddon studs are now preparing for their annual ram sales.