Agriculture
8 July, 2026
Studs bring home top state prizes
THE prized Wurrook Cup for fine wool aggregate at the Victorian Sheep Show has been claimed by Longdale Park Merino Stud.
THE prized Wurrook Cup for fine wool aggregate at the Victorian Sheep Show has been claimed by Longdale Park Merino Stud.
The Berrimal stud of Rod and Nicola Kirk beat off some of the state’s leading Merino breeders at Ballarat.
The major prize was among a swag of of sashes and trophies collected by Loddon Valley studs.
Longdale Park won Champion Fine Wool Ram Lamb and Champion Fine Wool Ewe Lamb. The Kirks also collected reserve champion sashes for Fine Wool Ewe Lamb, Medium Ram Lamb and Medium Wool Ram Lamb.
“We had a great day and were very excited and proud to take home the Wurrook Cup,” said Rod.
Third places were achieved in Medium Wool Ram Lamb and Medium Wool Ewe Lamb.
Norm Weir’s Kerrilyn Stud, Dunluce, had a strong showing in Ballarat where it collected Champion Medium Merino Ram and the Medium and Strong aggregate awards.
He said the show results came after a “whole lot of seconds earlier in the judging … seven in fact.”
Terrick Wes Poll Merinos saw every ram or ewe in its show team finish in the top two of their sections.
The McGauchies won Champion Strong Wool March Shorn Poll Ewe and Champion Fine Wool March Shorn Poll Ram and Reserve Champion Fine Wool Ewe of the show
Derby Downs Poll Dorset Stud also collected ribbons at the Victorian show.
The show held at Ballarat’s new showgrounds attracted record sheep entries and record public attendance that organisers said highlighted the growing strength of the event and the sheep industry.
District studs are now preparing for the nation’s premier event, the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo this month.
And in August, they will be part of the 7th Victorian Merino Field Day in Marnoo ahead of the ram sale season.
Read More: Loddon Shire